diff --git a/src/libbpf.c b/src/libbpf.c
index 514b1a5..0eb10b6 100644
--- a/src/libbpf.c
+++ b/src/libbpf.c
@@ -2280,9 +2280,7 @@ static void bpf_object__sanitize_btf_ext(struct bpf_object *obj)
 
 static bool bpf_object__is_btf_mandatory(const struct bpf_object *obj)
 {
-	return obj->efile.btf_maps_shndx >= 0 ||
-		obj->efile.st_ops_shndx >= 0 ||
-		obj->nr_extern > 0;
+	return obj->efile.st_ops_shndx >= 0 || obj->nr_extern > 0;
 }
 
 static int bpf_object__init_btf(struct bpf_object *obj,