diff --git a/src/check-doc-syntax.sh b/src/check-doc-syntax.sh
index e566a6ea8..bfda7a206 100755
--- a/src/check-doc-syntax.sh
+++ b/src/check-doc-syntax.sh
@@ -70,10 +70,13 @@ if echo $FILES | xargs grep "$note_regexp" /dev/null; then
 	echo Be civil and replace it by 'Note' please.
 fi >&2
 
-if echo $FILES | xargs ./check-doc-syntax.awk ; then
-	:
-else
-	stat=1
-fi >&2
+# Only run the syntax checker on the source files (not doc/)
+if -e ./check-doc-syntax.awk; then
+    if echo $FILES | xargs ./check-doc-syntax.awk ; then
+	    :
+    else
+	    stat=1
+    fi >&2
+fi
 
 exit $stat