diff --git a/tools/perf/util/dwarf-aux.c b/tools/perf/util/dwarf-aux.c
index 7defd77105d0..cc66c4049e09 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/dwarf-aux.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/dwarf-aux.c
@@ -747,14 +747,17 @@ struct __find_variable_param {
 static int __die_find_variable_cb(Dwarf_Die *die_mem, void *data)
 {
 	struct __find_variable_param *fvp = data;
+	Dwarf_Attribute attr;
 	int tag;
 
 	tag = dwarf_tag(die_mem);
 	if ((tag == DW_TAG_formal_parameter ||
 	     tag == DW_TAG_variable) &&
-	    die_compare_name(die_mem, fvp->name))
+	    die_compare_name(die_mem, fvp->name) &&
+	/* Does the DIE have location information or external instance? */
+	    (dwarf_attr(die_mem, DW_AT_external, &attr) ||
+	     dwarf_attr(die_mem, DW_AT_location, &attr)))
 		return DIE_FIND_CB_END;
-
 	if (dwarf_haspc(die_mem, fvp->addr))
 		return DIE_FIND_CB_CONTINUE;
 	else