diff --git a/lint b/lint
index 080713486..600a94f2c 100755
--- a/lint
+++ b/lint
@@ -82,12 +82,12 @@ function lint_go {
 	# don't have it installed.
 	if type golint >/dev/null 2>&1; then
 		# golint doesn't set an exit code it seems
-		if [ "$IGNORE_LINT_COMMENT" = "1" ]; then
-			lintoutput=$(golint "${filename}" | grep -vE 'comment|dot imports')
-		else
+		if [ -z "$IGNORE_LINT_COMMENT"  ]; then
 			lintoutput=$(golint "${filename}")
+		else
+			lintoutput=$(golint "${filename}" | grep -vE 'comment|dot imports')
 		fi
-		if [ "$lintoutput" != "" ]; then
+		if [ -n "$lintoutput" ]; then
 			lint_result=1
 			echo "$lintoutput"
 		fi