diff --git a/.github/workflows/linter.yml b/.github/workflows/linter.yml
index bc1b55a41..6fd6cb7e2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/linter.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/linter.yml
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ on:
 
 jobs:
 
-  # Workflow adapted from Rails
-  # https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/main/.github/workflows/rubocop.yml
   rubocop:
     name: RuboCop
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -27,17 +25,17 @@ jobs:
           ruby-version: 3.1.4
           bundler-cache: true
 
-      # Deleted files are excluded
       # adapted from https://github.com/actions/checkout/issues/520#issuecomment-1167205721
+      # and: https://robertfaldo.medium.com/commands-to-run-rubocop-and-specs-you-changed-in-your-branch-e6d2f2e4110b
+      # --diff-filter=d excludes deleted files
+      # "|| test $? = 1;" is used to ignore the exit code of grep when no files
+      # are found matching the pattern
       - name: Get changed ruby files (git diff)
         run: |
-          changedFiles=$(git diff-tree --name-only --diff-filter=d -r HEAD^1 HEAD | grep '\.rb$')
+          changedFiles=$(git diff-tree --name-only --diff-filter=d -r HEAD^1 HEAD | grep '\.rb$' || test $? = 1;)
           echo "Changed ruby files: $changedFiles"
           echo "CHANGED_FILES=$changedFiles" >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
-      # Scope Rubocop to changed files:
-      # https://robertfaldo.medium.com/commands-to-run-rubocop-and-specs-you-changed-in-your-branch-e6d2f2e4110b
-      # Exclude deleted files
       - name: Run RuboCop
         run: |
           $CHANGED_FILES | xargs bundle exec rubocop --parallel