diff --git a/src/os/file_windows.go b/src/os/file_windows.go
index 0d3c048a759..a2cb96e4573 100644
--- a/src/os/file_windows.go
+++ b/src/os/file_windows.go
@@ -365,17 +365,14 @@ func Symlink(oldname, newname string) error {
 		flags |= syscall.SYMBOLIC_LINK_FLAG_DIRECTORY
 	}
 	err = syscall.CreateSymbolicLink(n, o, flags)
-
 	if err != nil {
 		// the unprivileged create flag is unsupported
 		// below Windows 10 (1703, v10.0.14972). retry without it.
 		flags &^= windows.SYMBOLIC_LINK_FLAG_ALLOW_UNPRIVILEGED_CREATE
-
 		err = syscall.CreateSymbolicLink(n, o, flags)
-	}
-
-	if err != nil {
-		return &LinkError{"symlink", oldname, newname, err}
+		if err != nil {
+			return &LinkError{"symlink", oldname, newname, err}
+		}
 	}
 	return nil
 }