diff --git a/tools/objtool/elf.c b/tools/objtool/elf.c
index d84c28eac262..0ba5bb51bd93 100644
--- a/tools/objtool/elf.c
+++ b/tools/objtool/elf.c
@@ -226,8 +226,11 @@ static int read_symbols(struct elf *elf)
 
 	symtab = find_section_by_name(elf, ".symtab");
 	if (!symtab) {
-		WARN("missing symbol table");
-		return -1;
+		/*
+		 * A missing symbol table is actually possible if it's an empty
+		 * .o file.  This can happen for thunk_64.o.
+		 */
+		return 0;
 	}
 
 	symbols_nr = symtab->sh.sh_size / symtab->sh.sh_entsize;