diff --git a/src/cmd/5l/obj.c b/src/cmd/5l/obj.c
index 0cc84d0eaf9..4a3db99b001 100644
--- a/src/cmd/5l/obj.c
+++ b/src/cmd/5l/obj.c
@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ loop:
 			s->type = SBSS;
 			s->value = 0;
 		}
-		if(s->type != SBSS) {
+		if(s->type != SBSS && !s->dupok) {
 			diag("redefinition: %s\n%P", s->name, p);
 			s->type = SBSS;
 			s->value = 0;