diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index d4ef84266e4..e3e2561a00b 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ exclude: |
     build/.*|
     src/systemc/ext/.*|
     src/systemc/tests/.*/.*|
-    src/python/m5/ext/.*
+    src/python/m5/ext/.*|
+    tests/.*/ref/.*
   )$
 
 default_stages: [commit]