diff --git a/go/tools/builders/nolint.go b/go/tools/builders/nolint.go
index e6e3c0438..5e0a99526 100644
--- a/go/tools/builders/nolint.go
+++ b/go/tools/builders/nolint.go
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@ func parseNolint(text string) (map[string]bool, bool) {
 	if !strings.HasPrefix(text, "nolint") {
 		return nil, false
 	}
+
+	// strip explanation comments
+	split := strings.Split(text, "//")
+	text = strings.TrimSpace(split[0])
+
 	parts := strings.Split(text, ":")
 	if len(parts) == 1 {
 		return nil, true
diff --git a/go/tools/builders/nolint_test.go b/go/tools/builders/nolint_test.go
index 2870eaaff..143969a5b 100644
--- a/go/tools/builders/nolint_test.go
+++ b/go/tools/builders/nolint_test.go
@@ -50,12 +50,24 @@ func TestParseNolint(t *testing.T) {
 			Valid:   true,
 			Linters: []string{"foo"},
 		},
+		{
+			Name:    "Single linter with an explanation",
+			Comment: "//nolint:foo // the foo lint is invalid for this line",
+			Valid:   true,
+			Linters: []string{"foo"},
+		},
 		{
 			Name:    "Multiple linters",
 			Comment: "// nolint:a,b,c",
 			Valid:   true,
 			Linters: []string{"a", "b", "c"},
 		},
+		{
+			Name:    "Multiple linters with explanation",
+			Comment: "// nolint:a,b,c // some reason",
+			Valid:   true,
+			Linters: []string{"a", "b", "c"},
+		},
 	}
 
 	for _, tc := range tests {