diff --git a/scripts/checkpatch.pl b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
index 4ad40523b419..c43be815cc71 100755
--- a/scripts/checkpatch.pl
+++ b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
@@ -3258,11 +3258,11 @@ sub process {
 		}
 
 # check for unnecessary blank lines around braces
-		if (($line =~ /^.\s*}\s*$/ && $prevline =~ /^.\s*$/)) {
+		if (($line =~ /^.\s*}\s*$/ && $prevrawline =~ /^.\s*$/)) {
 			CHK("BRACES",
 			    "Blank lines aren't necessary before a close brace '}'\n" . $hereprev);
 		}
-		if (($line =~ /^.\s*$/ && $prevline =~ /^..*{\s*$/)) {
+		if (($rawline =~ /^.\s*$/ && $prevline =~ /^..*{\s*$/)) {
 			CHK("BRACES",
 			    "Blank lines aren't necessary after an open brace '{'\n" . $hereprev);
 		}