diff --git a/autoload/ale.vim b/autoload/ale.vim
index 6500b30..15fb53d 100644
--- a/autoload/ale.vim
+++ b/autoload/ale.vim
@@ -61,6 +61,12 @@ function! ale#ShouldDoNothing(buffer) abort
         return 1
     endif
 
+    let l:filename = fnamemodify(bufname(a:buffer), ':t')
+
+    if l:filename is# '.'
+        return 1
+    endif
+
     " Do nothing if running in the sandbox
     if ale#util#InSandbox()
         return 1
diff --git a/test/test_should_do_nothing_conditions.vader b/test/test_should_do_nothing_conditions.vader
index 3afa11a..23ebd92 100644
--- a/test/test_should_do_nothing_conditions.vader
+++ b/test/test_should_do_nothing_conditions.vader
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 Before:
   Save &l:statusline
 
+  call ale#test#SetDirectory('/testplugin/test')
+
   let b:funky_command_created = 0
 
   " We will test for the existence of this command, so create one if needed.
@@ -10,6 +12,8 @@ Before:
   endif
 
 After:
+  call ale#test#RestoreDirectory()
+
   if b:funky_command_created
     delcommand CtrlPFunky
     let b:funky_command_created = 0
@@ -25,3 +29,13 @@ Execute(ALE shouldn't do much of anything for ctrlp-funky buffers):
   let &l:statusline = '%#CtrlPMode2# prt %*%#CtrlPMode1# line %* <mru>={%#CtrlPMode1# funky %*}=<fil> <-> %=%<%#CtrlPMode2# %{getcwd()} %*'
 
   Assert ale#ShouldDoNothing(bufnr(''))
+
+Execute(ALE shouldn't try to check buffers with '.' as the filename):
+  AssertEqual
+  \ 0,
+  \ ale#ShouldDoNothing(bufnr('')),
+  \ 'ShouldDoNothing() was 1 for some other reason'
+
+  silent! noautocmd file .
+
+  Assert ale#ShouldDoNothing(bufnr(''))