diff --git rpython/translator/platform/posix.py rpython/translator/platform/posix.py
--- rpython/translator/platform/posix.py
+++ rpython/translator/platform/posix.py
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ class BasePosix(Platform):
 
         # xxx check which compilers accept this option or not
         if config and config.translation.lto:
-            cflags = ('-flto',) + cflags
+            cflags = ('-flto=thin',) + cflags
 
         m = GnuMakefile(path)
         m.exe_name = path.join(exe_name.basename)