diff --git a/scripts/checkpatch.pl b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
index b385bcbbf2f5..4d08b398411f 100755
--- a/scripts/checkpatch.pl
+++ b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
@@ -2133,7 +2133,10 @@ sub process {
 # Check for improperly formed commit descriptions
 		if ($in_commit_log &&
 		    $line =~ /\bcommit\s+[0-9a-f]{5,}/i &&
-		    $line !~ /\b[Cc]ommit [0-9a-f]{12,40} \("/) {
+		    !($line =~ /\b[Cc]ommit [0-9a-f]{12,40} \("/ ||
+		      ($line =~ /\b[Cc]ommit [0-9a-f]{12,40}\s*$/ &&
+		       defined $rawlines[$linenr] &&
+		       $rawlines[$linenr] =~ /^\s*\("/))) {
 			$line =~ /\b(c)ommit\s+([0-9a-f]{5,})/i;
 			my $init_char = $1;
 			my $orig_commit = lc($2);