diff --git a/src/internal/poll/splice_linux.go b/src/internal/poll/splice_linux.go
index aa237e587a..9ba94d648b 100644
--- a/src/internal/poll/splice_linux.go
+++ b/src/internal/poll/splice_linux.go
@@ -32,8 +32,6 @@ func Splice(dst, src *FD, remain int64) (written int64, handled bool, sc string,
 		return 0, false, sc, err
 	}
 	defer destroyTempPipe(prfd, pwfd)
-	// From here on, the operation should be considered handled,
-	// even if Splice doesn't transfer any data.
 	var inPipe, n int
 	for err == nil && remain > 0 {
 		max := maxSpliceSize
@@ -41,6 +39,12 @@ func Splice(dst, src *FD, remain int64) (written int64, handled bool, sc string,
 			max = int(remain)
 		}
 		inPipe, err = spliceDrain(pwfd, src, max)
+		// the operation is considered handled if splice returns no error, or
+		// an error other than EINVAL. An EINVAL means the kernel does not
+		// support splice for the socket type of dst and/or src. The failed
+		// syscall does not consume any data so it is safe to fall back to a
+		// generic copy.
+		handled = handled || (err != syscall.EINVAL)
 		// spliceDrain should never return EAGAIN, so if err != nil,
 		// Splice cannot continue. If inPipe == 0 && err == nil,
 		// src is at EOF, and the transfer is complete.
@@ -54,7 +58,7 @@ func Splice(dst, src *FD, remain int64) (written int64, handled bool, sc string,
 		}
 	}
 	if err != nil {
-		return written, true, "splice", err
+		return written, handled, "splice", err
 	}
 	return written, true, "", nil
 }