diff --git a/package/perf/perf.mk b/package/perf/perf.mk
index 7610f3d1d6..ffeec0282f 100644
--- a/package/perf/perf.mk
+++ b/package/perf/perf.mk
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ define PERF_BUILD_CMDS
 		exit 1 ; \
 	fi
 	$(Q)if test "$(BR2_PACKAGE_ELFUTILS)" = "" ; then \
-		if ! grep -q NO_LIBELF $(LINUX_DIR)/tools/perf/Makefile ; then \
+		if ! grep -q NO_LIBELF $(LINUX_DIR)/tools/perf/Makefile* ; then \
 			if ! test -r $(LINUX_DIR)/tools/perf/config/Makefile ; then \
 				echo "The perf tool in your kernel cannot be built without libelf." ; \
 				echo "Either upgrade your kernel to >= 3.7, or enable the elfutils package." ; \