diff --git a/sys/compat/linux/linux_file.c b/sys/compat/linux/linux_file.c
index 778ad77daf9..6302a053875 100644
--- a/sys/compat/linux/linux_file.c
+++ b/sys/compat/linux/linux_file.c
@@ -132,8 +132,11 @@ linux_common_open(struct thread *td, int dirfd, char *path, int l_flags, int mod
 	/* XXX LINUX_O_NOATIME: unable to be easily implemented. */
 
 	error = kern_openat(td, dirfd, path, UIO_SYSSPACE, bsd_flags, mode);
-	if (error != 0)
+	if (error != 0) {
+		if (error == EMLINK)
+			error = ELOOP;
 		goto done;
+	}
 	if (bsd_flags & O_NOCTTY)
 		goto done;