diff --git a/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/config.go b/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/config.go
index dcbe136832..86d8779512 100644
--- a/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/config.go
+++ b/src/cmd/link/internal/ld/config.go
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ func determineLinkMode(ctxt *Link) {
 			ctxt.LinkMode = LinkExternal
 			via = "via GO_EXTLINK_ENABLED "
 		default:
-			if extNeeded || (iscgo && externalobj) || ctxt.BuildMode == BuildModePIE {
+			if extNeeded || (iscgo && externalobj) {
 				ctxt.LinkMode = LinkExternal
 			} else {
 				ctxt.LinkMode = LinkInternal