diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-report.c b/tools/perf/builtin-report.c
index 4c931afb2e80..ad978e3ee2b8 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-report.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-report.c
@@ -194,20 +194,11 @@ out:
 	return err;
 }
 
-/*
- * Events in data file are not collect in groups, but we still want
- * the group display. Set the artificial group and set the leader's
- * forced_leader flag to notify the display code.
- */
 static void setup_forced_leader(struct report *report,
 				struct perf_evlist *evlist)
 {
-	if (report->group_set && !evlist->nr_groups) {
-		struct perf_evsel *leader = perf_evlist__first(evlist);
-
-		perf_evlist__set_leader(evlist);
-		leader->forced_leader = true;
-	}
+	if (report->group_set)
+		perf_evlist__force_leader(evlist);
 }
 
 static int process_feature_event(struct perf_tool *tool,