diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Lint/CheckUpgrades.cs b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Lint/CheckUpgrades.cs
index 29e6619785..f198ecea31 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Lint/CheckUpgrades.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Lint/CheckUpgrades.cs
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ namespace OpenRA.Mods.Common.Lint
 
 			foreach (var actorInfo in rules.Actors)
 			{
+				if (actorInfo.Key.StartsWith("^"))
+					continue;
+
 				foreach (var trait in actorInfo.Value.TraitInfos<ITraitInfo>())
 				{
 					var fields = trait.GetType().GetFields();
@@ -51,6 +54,9 @@ namespace OpenRA.Mods.Common.Lint
 			// Check all upgrades granted by traits.
 			foreach (var actorInfo in rules.Actors)
 			{
+				if (actorInfo.Key.StartsWith("^"))
+					continue;
+
 				foreach (var trait in actorInfo.Value.TraitInfos<ITraitInfo>())
 				{
 					var fields = trait.GetType().GetFields();