diff --git a/src/reuse/project.py b/src/reuse/project.py
index a986fdc73..3962f329e 100644
--- a/src/reuse/project.py
+++ b/src/reuse/project.py
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ def _copyright(self) -> Optional[Copyright]:
             copyright_path = self.root / ".reuse/dep5"
             try:
                 with copyright_path.open(encoding="utf-8") as fp:
-                    self._copyright_val = Copyright(fp)
+                    self._copyright_val = Copyright(fp, strict=False)
             except OSError:
                 _LOGGER.debug("no .reuse/dep5 file, or could not read it")
             except DebianError:
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 601f5ecc4..37351d734 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ def dep5_copyright():
     with (RESOURCES_DIRECTORY / "fake_repository/.reuse/dep5").open(
         encoding="utf-8"
     ) as fp:
-        return Copyright(fp)
+        return Copyright(fp, strict=False)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture()