diff --git a/tests/scripts/check-files.py b/tests/scripts/check-files.py
index ed6787289..e4339b1b5 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/check-files.py
+++ b/tests/scripts/check-files.py
@@ -138,7 +138,9 @@ class TodoIssueTracker(IssueTracker):
         super().__init__()
         self.heading = "TODO present:"
         self.files_exemptions = [
-            __file__, "benchmark.c", "pull_request_template.md"
+            os.path.basename(__file__),
+            "benchmark.c",
+            "pull_request_template.md",
         ]
 
     def issue_with_line(self, line):