diff --git a/src/sage/misc/sageinspect.py b/src/sage/misc/sageinspect.py
index b9691bbb628..44805bc0b5a 100644
--- a/src/sage/misc/sageinspect.py
+++ b/src/sage/misc/sageinspect.py
@@ -2062,10 +2062,10 @@ def sage_getdoc(obj, obj_name='', embedded=False):
     r = sage_getdoc_original(obj)
     s = sage.misc.sagedoc.format(r, embedded=embedded)
     f = sage_getfile(obj)
-    if f:
+    if f and os.path.exists(f):
         from sage.doctest.control import skipfile
         skip = skipfile(f)
-        if skip:
+        if isinstance(skip, str):
             warn = """WARNING: the enclosing module is marked '{}',
 so doctests may not pass.""".format(skip)
             s = warn + "\n\n" + s