diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/compiler/ir/backend.native/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/backend/konan/serialization/KonanIrlinker.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/compiler/ir/backend.native/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/backend/konan/serialization/KonanIrlinker.kt
index 0b1e5efa8f2..4f08b3e8795 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/compiler/ir/backend.native/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/backend/konan/serialization/KonanIrlinker.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/compiler/ir/backend.native/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/backend/konan/serialization/KonanIrlinker.kt
@@ -657,12 +657,10 @@ internal class KonanIrLinker(
                 deserializedSymbols.containsKey(idSig) ||
                     idSig.isPubliclyVisible && descriptorByIdSignatureFinder.findDescriptorBySignature(idSig) != null
 
-        override fun tryDeserializeIrSymbol(idSig: IdSignature, symbolKind: BinarySymbolData.SymbolKind): IrSymbol {
+        override fun tryDeserializeIrSymbol(idSig: IdSignature, symbolKind: BinarySymbolData.SymbolKind): IrSymbol? {
             deserializedSymbols[idSig]?.let { return it }
 
-            val descriptor = descriptorByIdSignatureFinder.findDescriptorBySignature(idSig)
-                    ?: error("Expecting descriptor for $idSig")
-
+            val descriptor = descriptorByIdSignatureFinder.findDescriptorBySignature(idSig) ?: return null
             return (stubGenerator.generateMemberStub(descriptor) as IrSymbolOwner).symbol
         }