diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
index be4e1eee782e6..10b1f1f25ed7c 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-record.c
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ static void perf_record__open(struct perf_record *rec)
 			 * based cpu-clock-tick sw counter, which
 			 * is always available even if no PMU support:
 			 */
-			if (attr->type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE
+			if (err == ENOENT && attr->type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE
 					&& attr->config == PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES) {
 
 				if (verbose)