diff --git a/src/asm_files.cpp b/src/asm_files.cpp
index a07559996..f10f9da77 100644
--- a/src/asm_files.cpp
+++ b/src/asm_files.cpp
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ vector<raw_program> read_elf(std::istream& input_stream, const std::string& path
 
     // Now that we've incorporated any subprograms from other sections, we can narrow the list
     // to return to just those programs in the desired section, if any.
-    if (!desired_section.empty()) {
+    if (!desired_section.empty() && !res.empty()) {
         for (int index = res.size() - 1; index >= 0; index--) {
             if (res[index].section_name != desired_section) {
                 res.erase(res.begin() + index);
diff --git a/src/spec_type_descriptors.hpp b/src/spec_type_descriptors.hpp
index 3a5381d74..2e2bd2445 100644
--- a/src/spec_type_descriptors.hpp
+++ b/src/spec_type_descriptors.hpp
@@ -70,6 +70,9 @@ struct raw_program {
     std::string function_name{};
     std::vector<ebpf_inst> prog{};
     program_info info{};
+
+    // Track whether subprograms for this raw_program have been resolved,
+    // preventing duplicate resolution when multiple programs exist in a section.
     bool resolved_subprograms{};
 };