Hepatic arteritis is a rare complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Information about its clinical manifestations is still very limited. Elevated serum r-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase levels, but without elevated bilirubin and transaminase levels, were found in the present report to be the clinical presentation of hepatic arteritis. This clinical picture originally suggested a disease of the biliary tree. Hepatic arteritis must be included in the differential diagnosis of biliary tract disorders in SLE.