diff --git a/awkgram.y b/awkgram.y
index 07131d2..0293f57 100644
--- a/awkgram.y
+++ b/awkgram.y
@@ -1405,21 +1405,12 @@ simp_exp
 	| LEX_GETLINE opt_variable input_redir
 	  {
 		/*
-		 * In BEGINFILE/ENDFILE, allow `getline var < file'
+		 * In BEGINFILE/ENDFILE, allow `getline [var] < file'
 		 */
 
-		if (rule == BEGINFILE || rule == ENDFILE) {
-			if ($2 != NULL && $3 != NULL)
-				;	 /* all  ok */
-			else {
-				if ($2 != NULL)
-					error_ln($1->source_line,
-						_("`getline var' invalid inside `%s' rule"), ruletab[rule]);
-				else
-					error_ln($1->source_line,
-						_("`getline' invalid inside `%s' rule"), ruletab[rule]);
-			}
-		}
+		if ((rule == BEGINFILE || rule == ENDFILE) && ($3 == NULL))
+			error_ln($1->source_line,
+				 _("non-redirected `getline' invalid inside `%s' rule"), ruletab[rule]);
 		if (do_lint && rule == END && $3 == NULL)
 			lintwarn_ln($1->source_line,
 				_("non-redirected `getline' undefined inside END action"));
diff --git a/doc/gawktexi.in b/doc/gawktexi.in
index 14ae09e..43dfa51 100644
--- a/doc/gawktexi.in
+++ b/doc/gawktexi.in
@@ -12207,8 +12207,8 @@ statement (@pxref{Nextfile Statement}) is allowed only inside a
 
 @cindex @code{getline} statement, @code{BEGINFILE}/@code{ENDFILE} patterns and
 The @code{getline} statement (@pxref{Getline}) is restricted inside
-both @code{BEGINFILE} and @code{ENDFILE}.  Only the @samp{getline
address@hidden < @var{file}} form is allowed.
+both @code{BEGINFILE} and @code{ENDFILE}: only redirected
+forms of @code{getline} are allowed.
 
 @code{BEGINFILE} and @code{ENDFILE} are @command{gawk} extensions.
 In most other @command{awk} implementations, or if @command{gawk} is in
diff --git a/interpret.h b/interpret.h
index 29feb82..27f194a 100644
--- a/interpret.h
+++ b/interpret.h
@@ -1098,10 +1098,6 @@ match_re:
 			JUMPTO(ni);
 
 		case Op_K_getline_redir:
-			if ((currule == BEGINFILE || currule == ENDFILE)
-					&& pc->into_var == false
-					&& pc->redir_type == redirect_input)
-				fatal(_("`getline' invalid inside `%s' rule"), ruletab[currule]);
 			r = do_getline_redir(pc->into_var, pc->redir_type);
 			PUSH(r);
 			break;
diff --git a/test/lintwarn.ok b/test/lintwarn.ok
index ec87612..bc5226e 100644
--- a/test/lintwarn.ok
+++ b/test/lintwarn.ok
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 gawk: lintwarn.awk:2: warning: `BEGINFILE' is a gawk extension
-gawk: lintwarn.awk:3: error: `getline var' invalid inside `BEGINFILE' rule
-gawk: lintwarn.awk:4: error: `getline' invalid inside `BEGINFILE' rule
+gawk: lintwarn.awk:3: error: non-redirected `getline' invalid inside `BEGINFILE' rule
+gawk: lintwarn.awk:4: error: non-redirected `getline' invalid inside `BEGINFILE' rule
 gawk: lintwarn.awk:8: warning: statement may have no effect
 gawk: lintwarn.awk:9: warning: plain `print' in BEGIN or END rule should probably be `print ""'
 gawk: lintwarn.awk:10: error: `nextfile' used in BEGIN action