diff --git a/src/system/kernel/arch/x86/arch_elf.c b/src/system/kernel/arch/x86/arch_elf.c
index e2e82413ec..978ee9cb35 100644
--- a/src/system/kernel/arch/x86/arch_elf.c
+++ b/src/system/kernel/arch/x86/arch_elf.c
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ arch_elf_relocate_rel(struct elf_image_info *image,
 			default:
 				dprintf("arch_elf_relocate_rel: unhandled relocation type %d\n",
 					ELF32_R_TYPE(rel[i].r_info));
-				return EPERM;
+				return B_BAD_DATA;
 		}
 
 		resolveAddress = (addr_t *)(image->text_region.delta + rel[i].r_offset);