diff --git a/src/core/dfn-index.js b/src/core/dfn-index.js
index 03626f8bd4..d4439f0f9d 100644
--- a/src/core/dfn-index.js
+++ b/src/core/dfn-index.js
@@ -224,7 +224,9 @@ function getLocalTermSuffix(dfn, type, term = "") {
 function appendSectionNumbers() {
   const getSectionNumber = id => {
     const dfn = document.getElementById(id);
-    const sectionNumberEl = dfn.closest("section").querySelector(".secno");
+    const sectionNumberEl = dfn
+      .closest("section:not(.notoc)")
+      .querySelector(".secno");
     const secNum = `§${sectionNumberEl.textContent.trim()}`;
     return html`<span class="print-only">${secNum}</span>`;
   };