--- binutils.orig/binutils/objcopy.c	2019-08-06 09:42:51.065854915 +0100
+++ binutils-2.30/binutils/objcopy.c	2019-08-06 09:47:36.293974283 +0100
@@ -2161,12 +2161,10 @@ merge_gnu_build_notes (bfd * abfd, asect
   attribute_type_byte = version_1_seen ? 1 : 3;
   val_start = attribute_type_byte + 1;
 
-  /* The first note should be the first version note.  */
-  if (pnotes[0].note.namedata[attribute_type_byte] != GNU_BUILD_ATTRIBUTE_VERSION)
-    {
-      err = _("bad GNU build attribute notes: first note not version note");
-      goto done;
-    }
+  /* We used to require that the first note be a version note,
+     but this is no longer enforced.  Due to the problems with
+     linking sections with the same name (eg .gnu.build.note.hot)
+     we cannot guarantee that the first note will be a version note.  */
 
   /* Now merge the notes.  The rules are:
      1. Preserve the ordering of the notes.
@@ -2184,7 +2182,7 @@ merge_gnu_build_notes (bfd * abfd, asect
 	description field of the note must be changed to contain the starting
 	address to which it refers.
      6. Notes with the same start and end address can be deleted.  */
-  for (pnote = pnotes + 1; pnote < pnotes_end; pnote ++)
+  for (pnote = pnotes; pnote < pnotes_end; pnote ++)
     {
       int                      note_type;
       objcopy_internal_note *  back;