diff --git a/scripts/checkpatch.pl b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
index a521d493..c39ce0b 100755
--- a/scripts/checkpatch.pl
+++ b/scripts/checkpatch.pl
@@ -2048,7 +2048,7 @@
 		    $line =~ /\b(?:if|while|for)\s*\(/ && $line !~ /^.\s*#/) {
 			my ($s, $c) = ($stat, $cond);
 
-			if ($c =~ /\bif\s*\(.*[^<>!=]=[^=].*/) {
+			if ($c =~ /\bif\s*\(.*[^<>!=]=[^=].*/s) {
 				ERROR("do not use assignment in if condition\n" . $herecurr);
 			}