diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index e3d0a3a0ad..744097c44b 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -302,11 +302,9 @@ matrix:
     - env:
         - NAME=licence_check
       script:
-        - echo 'Checking that there is no GPL licence text in code'
         - |
-          ! git grep -q --ignore-case "gnu general public";
-        - |
-          ! git grep -q --ignore-case "gnu library general public";
+          ! grep --recursive --max-count=100 --ignore-case --exclude .travis.yml \
+          "gnu general\|gnu lesser\|lesser general\|public license"
 
     - env:
         - NAME=include_check