diff --git a/binutils/objdump.c b/binutils/objdump.c
index 8b6021a20fe..944b81b17e0 100644
--- a/binutils/objdump.c
+++ b/binutils/objdump.c
@@ -160,7 +160,6 @@ static enum color_selection
   off;
 #endif
 
-static int dump_any_debugging;
 static int demangle_flags = DMGL_ANSI | DMGL_PARAMS;
 
 /* This is reset to false each time we enter the disassembler, and set true
@@ -4402,9 +4405,6 @@ load_debug_section (enum dwarf_section_display_enum debug, void *file)
   asection *sec;
   const char *name;
 
-  if (!dump_any_debugging)
-    return false;
-
   /* If it is already loaded, do nothing.  */
   if (section->start != NULL)
     {
@@ -5742,6 +5742,9 @@ might_need_separate_debug_info (bool is_mainfile)
     return true;
   
   if (process_links || dump_symtab || dump_debugging
+      /* Disassembly benefits from symbol tables, which might
+	 be stored in the separate debug info file.  */
+      || disassemble
       || dump_dwarf_section_info || with_source_code)
     return true;
 
@@ -6474,12 +6482,6 @@ main (int argc, char **argv)
   if (!seenflag)
     usage (stderr, 2);
 
-  dump_any_debugging = (dump_debugging
-			|| dump_dwarf_section_info
-			|| dump_global_vars
-			|| process_links
-			|| with_source_code);
-
   if (formats_info)
     exit_status = display_info ();
   else