diff --git a/src/hash.h b/src/hash.h
index 7390af7..e39e023 100644
--- a/src/hash.h
+++ b/src/hash.h
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ public:
 
 	typedef std::map<std::string, factoryof<hash_proc>*> suite_t;
 	static suite_t& suite();
+
+	virtual bool cryptographically_significant() {
+		return true;
+	}
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/hashfile.cpp b/src/hashfile.cpp
index 91caaf6..8ecbd85 100644
--- a/src/hashfile.cpp
+++ b/src/hashfile.cpp
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ public:
 		}
 		return r;
 	}
+
+	bool cryptographically_significant() {
+		return false;
+	}
 };
 
 /*
@@ -164,7 +168,8 @@ int hashfile::verify (istream&in)
 			continue;
 		}
 		if (i->second == hm[i->first]->finish()) {
-			++ok;
+			//avoid doing a positive decision on informative-grade-only hashes
+			if (hm[i->first]->cryptographically_significant()) ++ok;
 			err ("hash verification: ;-) "
 			     << i->first << " is GOOD");
 		} else {