--- a/src/DLD-FUNCTIONS/lu.cc
+++ b/src/DLD-FUNCTIONS/lu.cc
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@
   0  1\n\
   1  0\n\
 @end example\n\
+\n\
+The matrix is not required to be square..\n\
 @end deftypefn")
 {
   octave_value_list retval;
@@ -89,12 +91,6 @@
   else if (arg_is_empty > 0)
     return octave_value_list (3, Matrix ());
 
-  if (nr != nc)
-    {
-      gripe_square_matrix_required ("lu");
-      return retval;
-    }
-
   if (arg.is_real_type ())
     {
       Matrix m = arg.matrix_value ();