diff --git a/Library/Homebrew/os/linux/elf.rb b/Library/Homebrew/os/linux/elf.rb
index 82789cb570..e73f8154a2 100644
--- a/Library/Homebrew/os/linux/elf.rb
+++ b/Library/Homebrew/os/linux/elf.rb
@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ module ELFShim
     end
 
     def needed_libraries_using_patchelf(path)
+      return [nil, []] unless path.dynamic_elf?
+
       patchelf = DevelopmentTools.locate "patchelf"
       if path.dylib?
         command = [patchelf, "--print-soname", path.expand_path.to_s]