diff --git a/conda_build/post.py b/conda_build/post.py
index 28ff905314..6b10af2a78 100644
--- a/conda_build/post.py
+++ b/conda_build/post.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 import shutil
 import stat
 import sys
+import traceback
 from collections import OrderedDict, defaultdict
 from copy import copy
 from fnmatch import filter as fnmatch_filter
@@ -609,7 +610,20 @@ def mk_relative_linux(f, prefix, rpaths=("lib",), method=None):
             existing_pe = existing_pe.split(os.pathsep)
     existing = existing_pe
     if have_lief:
-        existing2, _, _ = get_rpaths_raw(elf)
+        existing2 = None
+        try:
+            existing2, _, _ = get_rpaths_raw(elf)
+        except Exception as e:
+            if method == "LIEF":
+                print(
+                    f"ERROR :: get_rpaths_raw({elf!r}) with LIEF failed: {e}, but LIEF was specified"
+                )
+                traceback.print_tb(e.__traceback__)
+            else:
+                print(
+                    f"WARNING :: get_rpaths_raw({elf!r}) with LIEF failed: {e}, will proceed with patchelf"
+                )
+            method = "patchelf"
         if existing_pe and existing_pe != existing2:
             print(
                 f"WARNING :: get_rpaths_raw()={existing2} and patchelf={existing_pe} disagree for {elf} :: "
diff --git a/news/5176-lief-fail b/news/5176-lief-fail
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c120627163
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/5176-lief-fail
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Error handling when `LIEF` fails is now consistent with `patchelf`. (#5176)