diff --git a/scripts/checkpatch.pl b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
index e56374662ff7..bec7930cdd66 100755
--- a/scripts/checkpatch.pl
+++ b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
@@ -2928,7 +2928,7 @@ sub process {
 			}
 			$checklicenseline = 1;
 
-			if ($realfile !~ /^MAINTAINERS/) {
+			if ($realfile !~ /^(MAINTAINERS|dev\/null)/) {
 				my $last_binding_patch = $is_binding_patch;
 
 				$is_binding_patch = () = $realfile =~ m@^(?:Documentation/devicetree/|include/dt-bindings/)@;