diff --git a/release/tools/ec2.conf b/release/tools/ec2.conf
index 4f2af08061b..176b98f7a2b 100644
--- a/release/tools/ec2.conf
+++ b/release/tools/ec2.conf
@@ -116,6 +116,9 @@ vm_extra_pre_umount() {
 	# * firstboot_pkgs (install packages)
 	touch ${DESTDIR}/firstboot
 
+	if ! [ -z "${QEMUSTATIC}" ]; then
+		rm -f ${DESTDIR}/${EMULATOR}
+	fi
 	rm -f ${DESTDIR}/etc/resolv.conf
 
 	return 0