diff --git a/rpminspect.yaml b/rpminspect.yaml
index 3e2a940..d6f721c 100644
--- a/rpminspect.yaml
+++ b/rpminspect.yaml
@@ -15,3 +15,9 @@ annocheck:
     ignore:
         - /lib/firmware/*.bin
         - /lib/firmware/*/*
+
+# exclude binary firmware files from elf test entirely
+elf:
+    ignore:
+        - /lib/firmware/*.bin
+        - /lib/firmware/*/*