diff --git a/docs/source/conf.py b/docs/source/conf.py
index 37dafdb..c94fee8 100644
--- a/docs/source/conf.py
+++ b/docs/source/conf.py
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+"""
+Configuration file for the Sphinx documentation builder.
+
+For the full list of built-in configuration values, see the documentation:
+https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/configuration.html
+"""
+# 'fix' linting; sphinx doesn't apply
+# pylint: disable=invalid-name,redefined-builtin
 import os
 import sys
 
@@ -9,11 +17,6 @@ import sys
 #
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath(os.path.join("..", "..", "src")))
 
-# Configuration file for the Sphinx documentation builder.
-#
-# For the full list of built-in configuration values, see the documentation:
-# https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/configuration.html
-
 # -- Project information -----------------------------------------------------
 # https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/configuration.html#project-information