diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
index 7d97c8e9f7f9..f91352f847c0 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
@@ -1531,7 +1531,7 @@ static int record__setup_sb_evlist(struct record *rec)
 		evlist__set_cb(rec->sb_evlist, record__process_signal_event, rec);
 		rec->thread_id = pthread_self();
 	}
-
+#ifdef HAVE_LIBBPF_SUPPORT
 	if (!opts->no_bpf_event) {
 		if (rec->sb_evlist == NULL) {
 			rec->sb_evlist = evlist__new();
@@ -1547,7 +1547,7 @@ static int record__setup_sb_evlist(struct record *rec)
 			return -1;
 		}
 	}
-
+#endif
 	if (perf_evlist__start_sb_thread(rec->sb_evlist, &rec->opts.target)) {
 		pr_debug("Couldn't start the BPF side band thread:\nBPF programs starting from now on won't be annotatable\n");
 		opts->no_bpf_event = true;