diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8de37e61e3..d364524525 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ A more detailed list of changes is available in the corresponding milestones for
 #### On the OpenType profile
   - **[opentype/monospace]**: Ensure check works with monospace OTF fonts (PR #5051)
 
+  - **[opentype/STAT/ital_axis]**: Skip check for fonts without STAT table (issue #4998)
+
 ## 1.1.0 (2025-Oct-02)
   - Replace deprecated `pkg_resources` by `importlib.resources` (issue #5028)
 
diff --git a/Lib/fontbakery/checks/opentype/STAT/ital_axis.py b/Lib/fontbakery/checks/opentype/STAT/ital_axis.py
index 7e735a65a8..3e97da100f 100644
--- a/Lib/fontbakery/checks/opentype/STAT/ital_axis.py
+++ b/Lib/fontbakery/checks/opentype/STAT/ital_axis.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def get_STAT_axis_value(ttFont, tag):
 
 def check_has_ital(font):
     if "STAT" not in font.ttFont:
-        yield FAIL, Message(
+        yield SKIP, Message(
             "no-stat",
             f"Font {font.file} has no STAT table",
         )