diff --git a/hw/core/loader.c b/hw/core/loader.c
index 3c79283777..e7a9b3775b 100644
--- a/hw/core/loader.c
+++ b/hw/core/loader.c
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ ssize_t load_elf_ram_sym(const char *filename,
                          clear_lsb, data_swab, as, load_rom, sym_cb);
     }
 
-    if (ret != ELF_LOAD_FAILED) {
+    if (ret > 0) {
         debuginfo_report_elf(filename, fd, 0);
     }