diff --git a/binutils/ChangeLog b/binutils/ChangeLog
index a36eabc9be..9a30a2027e 100644
--- a/binutils/ChangeLog
+++ b/binutils/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+2016-06-28  Nick Clifton  <nickc@redhat.com>
+
+	* testsuite/binutils-all/ar.exp: Relax previous restriction on
+	Alpha targets.  Allow ELF based Alpha targets.
+
 2016-06-28  Maciej W. Rozycki  <macro@imgtec.com>
 
 	* testsuite/binutils-all/ar.exp: Use `supports_gnu_unique' with
diff --git a/binutils/testsuite/binutils-all/ar.exp b/binutils/testsuite/binutils-all/ar.exp
index 604ebdc16a..8649f8061b 100644
--- a/binutils/testsuite/binutils-all/ar.exp
+++ b/binutils/testsuite/binutils-all/ar.exp
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ if ![is_remote host] {
     }
 }
 
-if {[istarget "alpha-*-*"]} then {
-  return
+if { [istarget "alpha-*-*"] && ![is_elf_format] } then {
+    return
 }
 
 # send_user "Version [binutil_version $AR]"