diff --git a/gcc/cobol/scan.l b/gcc/cobol/scan.l
index ab023df251f431e55f089622e86d12cb4b97c4ce..b2027b477efcb64707bed5e22c3c8e1feaaa57f4 100644
--- a/gcc/cobol/scan.l
+++ b/gcc/cobol/scan.l
@@ -1091,6 +1091,8 @@ USE({SPC}FOR)?		{ return USE; }
   LINKAGE{SECTION}         { return LINKAGE_SECT; }
 
   PROCEDURE{SPC}DIVISION	{ BEGIN(procedure_div); return PROCEDURE_DIV; }
+
+  [*]>.*$ // ignore inline comment 
 }
 
 <numstr_state>{