diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c
index 9c202bba911c..0ea7b91e675f 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c
@@ -5639,9 +5639,10 @@ bpf_object__relocate_core(struct bpf_object *obj, const char *targ_btf_path)
 		 */
 		prog = NULL;
 		for (i = 0; i < obj->nr_programs; i++) {
-			prog = &obj->programs[i];
-			if (strcmp(prog->sec_name, sec_name) == 0)
+			if (strcmp(obj->programs[i].sec_name, sec_name) == 0) {
+				prog = &obj->programs[i];
 				break;
+			}
 		}
 		if (!prog) {
 			pr_warn("sec '%s': failed to find a BPF program\n", sec_name);