diff --git a/arch/x86/tools/relocs.c b/arch/x86/tools/relocs.c
index 0043fd374a62..f9ec998b7e94 100644
--- a/arch/x86/tools/relocs.c
+++ b/arch/x86/tools/relocs.c
@@ -689,6 +689,15 @@ static void walk_relocs(int (*process)(struct section *sec, Elf_Rel *rel,
 		if (!(sec_applies->shdr.sh_flags & SHF_ALLOC)) {
 			continue;
 		}
+
+		/*
+		 * Do not perform relocations in .notes sections; any
+		 * values there are meant for pre-boot consumption (e.g.
+		 * startup_xen).
+		 */
+		if (sec_applies->shdr.sh_type == SHT_NOTE)
+			continue;
+
 		sh_symtab = sec_symtab->symtab;
 		sym_strtab = sec_symtab->link->strtab;
 		for (j = 0; j < sec->shdr.sh_size/sizeof(Elf_Rel); j++) {