The default NetBSD/sparc /usr/lib/c++rt0.o is compiled -fpic. This means it can only handle offsets up to a certain size, and can fail to work in large programs. Compiling -fPIC allows larger offsets and should permit large programs to function. Both these files were compiled on a 1.4.1 NetBSD/sparc system, from NetBSD-release sources on Tue Dec 7 1999. c++rt0.o.PIC Compiled -fPIC c++rt0.o.pic Compiled -fpic (In case you need to go back)