diff --git a/tests/framework/gitlint_rules.py b/tests/framework/gitlint_rules.py
index 73c9575ec39..acb36acf9f4 100644
--- a/tests/framework/gitlint_rules.py
+++ b/tests/framework/gitlint_rules.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def rtn(stmt, i):
 
         # Checks lines following co-author are only additional co-authors.
         for i, line in message_iter:
-            if not line.startswith(co_auth):
+            if not line.startswith(co_auth) and line.strip():
                 return rtn(
                     f"Non '{co_auth}' string found after 1st '{co_auth}'",
                     i,