diff --git a/scripts/spdxcheck.py b/scripts/spdxcheck.py
index 7deaef297f52..a6041f29b18e 100755
--- a/scripts/spdxcheck.py
+++ b/scripts/spdxcheck.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def read_spdxdata(repo):
 
     # The subdirectories of LICENSES in the kernel source
     license_dirs = [ "preferred", "other", "exceptions" ]
-    lictree = repo.heads.master.commit.tree['LICENSES']
+    lictree = repo.head.commit.tree['LICENSES']
 
     spdx = SPDXdata()
 
@@ -199,8 +199,6 @@ def scan_git_tree(tree):
             continue
         if el.path.find("license-rules.rst") >= 0:
             continue
-        if el.path == 'scripts/checkpatch.pl':
-            continue
         if not os.path.isfile(el.path):
             continue
         parser.parse_lines(open(el.path), args.maxlines, el.path)