diff --git a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_fs.run b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_fs.run
index 5e8f6c653..8162b567f 100644
--- a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_fs.run
+++ b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_fs.run
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ install_config {
 		<any-service> <parent/> <any-child/> </any-service>
 	</default-route>
 	<default caps="100"/>
-	<start name="lx_fs" caps="200">
+	<start name="lx_fs" caps="200" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides> <service name="File_system"/> </provides>
 		<config> <policy label_prefix="test-libc_vfs" root="/libc_vfs" writeable="yes" /> </config>
diff --git a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_ctors.run b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_ctors.run
index f5064a40c..6fa4e07ec 100644
--- a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_ctors.run
+++ b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_ctors.run
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ install_config {
 			<any-service> <parent/> <any-child/> </any-service>
 		</default-route>
 		<default caps="100"/>
-		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_ctors">
+		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_ctors" ld="no">
 			<resource name="RAM" quantum="1M"/>
 		</start>
 	</config>
diff --git a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_errno.run b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_errno.run
index 8f9548f76..2a47c87b8 100644
--- a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_errno.run
+++ b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_errno.run
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ install_config {
 		<default-route>
 			<any-service> <parent/> <any-child/> </any-service>
 		</default-route>
-		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_errno">
+		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_errno" ld="no">
 			<resource name="RAM" quantum="1M"/>
 		</start>
 	</config>
diff --git a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_exception.run b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_exception.run
index 29ef601f5..18bc0d228 100644
--- a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_exception.run
+++ b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_exception.run
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ install_config {
 			<any-service> <parent/> <any-child/> </any-service>
 		</default-route>
 		<default caps="100"/>
-		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_exception">
+		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_exception" ld="no">
 			<resource name="RAM" quantum="1M"/>
 		</start>
 	</config>
diff --git a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_pthread_ipc.run b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_pthread_ipc.run
index d151fd5dd..1468b210a 100644
--- a/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_pthread_ipc.run
+++ b/repos/base-linux/run/lx_hybrid_pthread_ipc.run
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ install_config {
 			<any-service> <parent/> <any-child/> </any-service>
 		</default-route>
 		<default caps="100"/>
-		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_pthread_ipc">
+		<start name="test-lx_hybrid_pthread_ipc" ld="no">
 			<resource name="RAM" quantum="1M"/>
 		</start>
 	</config>
diff --git a/repos/base-linux/src/lib/base/child_process.cc b/repos/base-linux/src/lib/base/child_process.cc
index 9427d8b37..48fd021c3 100644
--- a/repos/base-linux/src/lib/base/child_process.cc
+++ b/repos/base-linux/src/lib/base/child_process.cc
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ void Child::Initial_thread::start(addr_t) { }
 /*
  * On Linux, the ELF loading is performed by the kernel
  */
-Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability,
+Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Type,
                                                      Dataspace_capability,
                                                      Ram_session &,
                                                      Region_map &,
@@ -58,51 +58,27 @@ Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability,
                                                      Parent_capability) { }
 
 
-Child::Process::Process(Dataspace_capability  elf_ds,
+Child::Process::Process(Type                  type,
                         Dataspace_capability  ldso_ds,
-                        Pd_session_capability,
                         Pd_session           &pd,
-                        Ram_session          &ram,
                         Initial_thread_base  &,
                         Region_map           &local_rm,
                         Region_map           &remote_rm,
                         Parent_capability     parent_cap)
 :
-	loaded_executable(elf_ds, ldso_ds, ram, local_rm, remote_rm, parent_cap)
+	loaded_executable(type, ldso_ds, pd, local_rm, remote_rm, parent_cap)
 {
 	/* skip loading when called during fork */
-	if (!elf_ds.valid())
+	if (type == TYPE_FORKED)
 		return;
 
-	/* attach ELF locally */
-	addr_t elf_addr;
-	try { elf_addr = local_rm.attach(elf_ds); }
-	catch (Region_map::Invalid_dataspace) {
-		error("local attach of ELF executable failed (Invalid_dataspace)"); throw; }
-	catch (Region_map::Region_conflict) {
-		error("local attach of ELF executable failed (Region_conflict)"); throw; }
-
-	/* setup ELF object and read program entry pointer */
-	Elf_binary elf(elf_addr);
-	if (!elf.valid())
-		throw Invalid_executable();
-
-	bool const dynamically_linked = elf.dynamically_linked();
-
-	local_rm.detach(elf_addr);
-
 	/*
 	 * If the specified executable is a dynamically linked program, we load
 	 * the dynamic linker instead.
 	 */
-	if (dynamically_linked) {
-
-		if (!ldso_ds.valid()) {
-			error("attempt to start dynamic executable without dynamic linker");
-			throw Missing_dynamic_linker();
-		}
-
-		elf_ds = ldso_ds;
+	if (!ldso_ds.valid()) {
+		error("attempt to start dynamic executable without dynamic linker");
+		throw Missing_dynamic_linker();
 	}
 
 	pd.assign_parent(parent_cap);
@@ -110,7 +86,7 @@ Child::Process::Process(Dataspace_capability  elf_ds,
 	Linux_native_pd_client
 		lx_pd(static_cap_cast<Linux_native_pd>(pd.native_pd()));
 
-	lx_pd.start(elf_ds);
+	lx_pd.start(ldso_ds);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/repos/base-nova/run/platform.run b/repos/base-nova/run/platform.run
index a674eb9cb..0adfbcd62 100644
--- a/repos/base-nova/run/platform.run
+++ b/repos/base-nova/run/platform.run
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ set config {
 		<default-route>
 			<any-service> <parent/> </any-service>
 		</default-route>
-		<start name="test-platform" caps="12000">
+		<start name="test-platform" caps="12000" ld="no">
 			<resource name="RAM" quantum="128M"/>}
 
 append config "
diff --git a/repos/base/include/base/child.h b/repos/base/include/base/child.h
index ffab7cc50..ea001a4ea 100644
--- a/repos/base/include/base/child.h
+++ b/repos/base/include/base/child.h
@@ -222,6 +222,11 @@ struct Genode::Child_policy
 	 * would otherwise produce a deadlock.
 	 */
 	virtual Region_map *address_space(Pd_session &) { return nullptr; }
+
+	/**
+	 * Return true if ELF loading should be inhibited
+	 */
+	virtual bool forked() const { return false; }
 };
 
 
@@ -344,6 +349,8 @@ class Genode::Child : protected Rpc_object<Parent>,
 			class Missing_dynamic_linker : Exception { };
 			class Invalid_executable     : Exception { };
 
+			enum Type { TYPE_LOADED, TYPE_FORKED };
+
 			struct Loaded_executable
 			{
 				/**
@@ -368,7 +375,7 @@ class Genode::Child : protected Rpc_object<Parent>,
 				 * \throw Out_of_ram
 				 * \throw Out_of_caps
 				 */
-				Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability elf_ds,
+				Loaded_executable(Type type,
 				                  Dataspace_capability ldso_ds,
 				                  Ram_session &ram,
 				                  Region_map &local_rm,
@@ -379,11 +386,6 @@ class Genode::Child : protected Rpc_object<Parent>,
 			/**
 			 * Constructor
 			 *
-			 * \param ram     RAM session used to allocate the BSS and
-			 *                DATA segments for the new process
-			 * \param parent  parent of the new protection domain
-			 * \param name    name of protection domain
-			 *
 			 * \throw Missing_dynamic_linker
 			 * \throw Invalid_executable
 			 * \throw Region_map::Region_conflict
@@ -391,25 +393,21 @@ class Genode::Child : protected Rpc_object<Parent>,
 			 * \throw Out_of_ram
 			 * \throw Out_of_caps
 			 *
-			 * The other arguments correspond to those of 'Child::Child'.
-			 *
 			 * On construction of a protection domain, the initial thread is
 			 * started immediately.
 			 *
-			 * The argument 'elf_ds' may be invalid to create an empty process.
-			 * In this case, all process initialization steps except for the
-			 * creation of the initial thread must be done manually, i.e., as
-			 * done for implementing fork.
+			 * The 'type' 'TYPE_FORKED' creates an empty process. In this case,
+			 * all process initialization steps except for the creation of the
+			 * initial thread must be done manually, i.e., as done for
+			 * implementing fork.
 			 */
-			Process(Dataspace_capability  elf_ds,
-			        Dataspace_capability  ldso_ds,
-			        Pd_session_capability pd_cap,
-			        Pd_session           &pd,
-			        Ram_session          &ram,
-			        Initial_thread_base  &initial_thread,
-			        Region_map           &local_rm,
-			        Region_map           &remote_rm,
-			        Parent_capability     parent);
+			Process(Type                 type,
+			        Dataspace_capability ldso_ds,
+			        Pd_session          &pd,
+			        Initial_thread_base &initial_thread,
+			        Region_map          &local_rm,
+			        Region_map          &remote_rm,
+			        Parent_capability    parent);
 
 			~Process();
 		};
diff --git a/repos/base/src/lib/base/child.cc b/repos/base/src/lib/base/child.cc
index 99b74f604..b2132f1e3 100644
--- a/repos/base/src/lib/base/child.cc
+++ b/repos/base/src/lib/base/child.cc
@@ -771,10 +771,11 @@ void Child::_try_construct_env_dependent_members()
 
 	_policy.init(_cpu.session(), _cpu.cap());
 
+	Process::Type const type = _policy.forked()
+	                         ? Process::TYPE_FORKED : Process::TYPE_LOADED;
 	try {
 		_initial_thread.construct(_cpu.session(), _pd.cap(), _policy.name());
-		_process.construct(_binary.session().dataspace(), _linker_dataspace(),
-		                   _pd.cap(), _pd.session(), _pd.session(),
+		_process.construct(type, _linker_dataspace(), _pd.session(),
 		                   *_initial_thread, _local_rm,
 		                   Child_address_space(_pd.session(), _policy).region_map(),
 		                   cap());
diff --git a/repos/base/src/lib/base/child_process.cc b/repos/base/src/lib/base/child_process.cc
index 420005854..63d4c9945 100644
--- a/repos/base/src/lib/base/child_process.cc
+++ b/repos/base/src/lib/base/child_process.cc
@@ -24,53 +24,32 @@
 using namespace Genode;
 
 
-Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability elf_ds,
+Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Type type,
                                                      Dataspace_capability ldso_ds,
-                                                     Ram_session &ram,
+                                                     Pd_session &pd,
                                                      Region_map &local_rm,
                                                      Region_map &remote_rm,
                                                      Parent_capability parent_cap)
 {
 	/* skip loading when called during fork */
-	if (!elf_ds.valid())
+	if (type == TYPE_FORKED)
 		return;
 
-	/* attach ELF locally */
-	addr_t elf_addr;
-	try { elf_addr = local_rm.attach(elf_ds); }
-	catch (Region_map::Invalid_dataspace) {
-		error("local attach of ELF executable failed (invalid dataspace)"); throw; }
-	catch (Region_map::Region_conflict) {
-		error("local attach of ELF executable failed (region conflict)"); throw; }
-
-	/* setup ELF object and read program entry pointer */
-	Elf_binary elf(elf_addr);
-	if (!elf.valid())
-		throw Invalid_executable();
-
-	/*
-	 * If the specified executable is a dynamically linked program, we load
-	 * the dynamic linker instead.
-	 */
-	if (elf.dynamically_linked()) {
-
-		local_rm.detach(elf_addr);
-
-		if (!ldso_ds.valid()) {
-			error("attempt to start dynamic executable without dynamic linker");
-			throw Missing_dynamic_linker();
-		}
-
-		try { elf_addr = local_rm.attach(ldso_ds); }
-		catch (Region_map::Invalid_dataspace) {
-			error("dynamic linker is an invalid dataspace"); throw; }
-		catch (Region_map::Region_conflict) {
-			error("region conflict while attaching dynamic linker"); throw; }
-
-		elf_ds = ldso_ds;
-		elf    = Elf_binary(elf_addr);
+	/* locally attach ELF binary of the dynamic linker */
+	if (!ldso_ds.valid()) {
+		error("attempt to start dynamic executable without dynamic linker");
+		throw Missing_dynamic_linker();
 	}
 
+	addr_t elf_addr = 0;
+	try { elf_addr = local_rm.attach(ldso_ds); }
+	catch (Region_map::Invalid_dataspace) {
+		error("dynamic linker is an invalid dataspace"); throw; }
+	catch (Region_map::Region_conflict) {
+		error("region conflict while attaching dynamic linker"); throw; }
+
+	Elf_binary elf(elf_addr);
+
 	entry = elf.entry();
 
 	/* setup region map for the new pd */
@@ -105,7 +84,7 @@ Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability elf_ds
 
 			/* alloc dataspace */
 			Dataspace_capability ds_cap;
-			try { ds_cap = ram.alloc(size); }
+			try { ds_cap = pd.alloc(size); }
 			catch (Out_of_ram) {
 				error("allocation of read-write segment failed"); throw; };
 
@@ -141,7 +120,9 @@ Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability elf_ds
 			off_t const offset = 0;
 			try { remote_rm.attach_at(ds_cap, addr, size, offset); }
 			catch (Region_map::Region_conflict) {
-				error("region conflict while remotely attaching ELF segment"); throw; }
+				error("region conflict while remotely attaching ELF segment");
+				error("addr=", (void *)addr, " size=", (void *)size, " offset=", (void *)offset);
+				throw; }
 
 		} else {
 
@@ -153,12 +134,13 @@ Child::Process::Loaded_executable::Loaded_executable(Dataspace_capability elf_ds
 			off_t const offset = seg.file_offset();
 			try {
 				if (exec)
-					remote_rm.attach_executable(elf_ds, addr, size, offset);
+					remote_rm.attach_executable(ldso_ds, addr, size, offset);
 				else
-					remote_rm.attach_at(elf_ds, addr, size, offset);
+					remote_rm.attach_at(ldso_ds, addr, size, offset);
 			}
 			catch (Region_map::Region_conflict) {
 				error("region conflict while remotely attaching read-only ELF segment");
+				error("addr=", (void *)addr, " size=", (void *)size, " offset=", (void *)offset);
 				throw;
 			}
 			catch (Region_map::Invalid_dataspace) {
@@ -194,17 +176,15 @@ void Child::Initial_thread::start(addr_t ip)
 }
 
 
-Child::Process::Process(Dataspace_capability  elf_ds,
+Child::Process::Process(Type                  type,
                         Dataspace_capability  ldso_ds,
-                        Pd_session_capability,
                         Pd_session           &pd,
-                        Ram_session          &ram,
                         Initial_thread_base  &initial_thread,
                         Region_map           &local_rm,
                         Region_map           &remote_rm,
                         Parent_capability     parent_cap)
 :
-	loaded_executable(elf_ds, ldso_ds, ram, local_rm, remote_rm, parent_cap)
+	loaded_executable(type, ldso_ds, pd, local_rm, remote_rm, parent_cap)
 {
 	/* register parent interface for new protection domain */
 	pd.assign_parent(parent_cap);
@@ -214,7 +194,7 @@ Child::Process::Process(Dataspace_capability  elf_ds,
 	 * from another. In this case, the main thread will get manually
 	 * started after constructing the 'Process'.
 	 */
-	if (!elf_ds.valid())
+	if (type == TYPE_FORKED)
 		return;
 
 	/* start main thread */
diff --git a/repos/gems/run/cpu_load_display.run b/repos/gems/run/cpu_load_display.run
index 41f52280b..f3a6dd55e 100644
--- a/repos/gems/run/cpu_load_display.run
+++ b/repos/gems/run/cpu_load_display.run
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ append config {
 	<default caps="100"/>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/gems/run/gpt_write.run b/repos/gems/run/gpt_write.run
index 1ace87a05..43ed451a4 100644
--- a/repos/gems/run/gpt_write.run
+++ b/repos/gems/run/gpt_write.run
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ install_config {
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="1M"/>
 		<provides><service name="Timer"/></provides>
 	</start>
-	<start name="lx_block">
+	<start name="lx_block" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="2M"/>
 		<provides> <service name="Block"/> </provides>
 		<config file="gpt.img" block_size="512" writeable="yes"/>
diff --git a/repos/gems/run/leitzentrale.run b/repos/gems/run/leitzentrale.run
index 6e88ab8fe..97ba031aa 100644
--- a/repos/gems/run/leitzentrale.run
+++ b/repos/gems/run/leitzentrale.run
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ install_config {
 	</start>
 
 	<start name="ahci-1">
-		<binary name="lx_block"/>
+		<binary name="lx_block" ld="no"/>
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="2M"/>
 		<provides> <service name="Block"/> </provides>
 		<config file="ahci-1.img" block_size="512" writeable="yes"/>
diff --git a/repos/libports/run/avplay.run b/repos/libports/run/avplay.run
index 1691a7039..d99b97dd9 100644
--- a/repos/libports/run/avplay.run
+++ b/repos/libports/run/avplay.run
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ set config {
 }
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/libports/run/mesa.inc b/repos/libports/run/mesa.inc
index ce8c82bbc..36704c861 100644
--- a/repos/libports/run/mesa.inc
+++ b/repos/libports/run/mesa.inc
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ set config {
 }
 
 append_if [have_spec linux] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl" caps="200">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" caps="200" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/libports/run/qt5_drivers.inc b/repos/libports/run/qt5_drivers.inc
index 40921a13e..d6479742d 100644
--- a/repos/libports/run/qt5_drivers.inc
+++ b/repos/libports/run/qt5_drivers.inc
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ proc drivers_start_nodes { feature_arg } {
 	}
 
 	append_if [use_fb_sdl feature] start_nodes {
-		<start name="fb_sdl">
+		<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 			<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 			<provides>
 				<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/libports/run/sdl.run b/repos/libports/run/sdl.run
index 9d99f707c..ab985fc2c 100644
--- a/repos/libports/run/sdl.run
+++ b/repos/libports/run/sdl.run
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ append config {
 	<default caps="100"/>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/recipes/raw/drivers_interactive-linux/drivers.config b/repos/os/recipes/raw/drivers_interactive-linux/drivers.config
index 5f4e87482..36676a10f 100644
--- a/repos/os/recipes/raw/drivers_interactive-linux/drivers.config
+++ b/repos/os/recipes/raw/drivers_interactive-linux/drivers.config
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 	<service name="Input">
 		<default-policy> <child name="input_filter"/> </default-policy> </service>
 
-	<start name="fb_sdl" caps="100">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" caps="100" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/block_tester.run b/repos/os/run/block_tester.run
index c718a7dbd..b43dc94e1 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/block_tester.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/block_tester.run
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ append_if [expr !$use_linux] config {
 
 append_if $use_linux config {
 	<start name="ahci_drv">
-		<binary name="lx_block"/>
+		<binary name="lx_block" ld="no"/>
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="2G"/>
 		<provides><service name="Block"/></provides>
 		<config file="block.raw" block_size="512" writeable="yes"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/demo.run b/repos/os/run/demo.run
index ebb095986..e8ec816d4 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/demo.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/demo.run
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ append config {
 	<default caps="100"/>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run b/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run
index 99afe92dc..b48876d71 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/fb_bench.run
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ append_if [have_spec gpio] config "
 	</start>"
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/framebuffer.run b/repos/os/run/framebuffer.run
index 5430ac94e..85fa2a340 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/framebuffer.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/framebuffer.run
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ append config {
 	</start>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/input.run b/repos/os/run/input.run
index 0eb19c0e2..8c1feb7f3 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/input.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/input.run
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ append_if [have_spec ps2] config {
 	<alias name="input_drv" child="ps2_drv"/>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides> <service name="Input"/> <service name="Framebuffer"/> </provides>
 		<route>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/loader.run b/repos/os/run/loader.run
index ad3c97b6e..bba24425a 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/loader.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/loader.run
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ append config {
 append_platform_drv_config
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/lx_block.run b/repos/os/run/lx_block.run
index 0138bb9d0..df9181903 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/lx_block.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/lx_block.run
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ install_config {
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="1M"/>
 		<provides><service name="Timer"/></provides>
 	</start>
-	<start name="lx_block">
+	<start name="lx_block" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="2M"/>
 		<provides> <service name="Block"/> </provides>
 		<config file="lx_block.img" block_size="4K" writeable="yes"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/pointer.run b/repos/os/run/pointer.run
index 210c94bdd..a6e41863d 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/pointer.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/pointer.run
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ set config {
 			<service name="LOG"> <parent/> </service>
 		</route>
 	</start>
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="6M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Framebuffer"/>
diff --git a/repos/os/run/rom_to_file.run b/repos/os/run/rom_to_file.run
index e41d26059..680e7fa22 100644
--- a/repos/os/run/rom_to_file.run
+++ b/repos/os/run/rom_to_file.run
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ install_config {
 			</rom>
 		</config>
 	</start>
-	<start name="lx_fs">
+	<start name="lx_fs" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides> <service name="File_system" /> </provides>
 		<config>
diff --git a/repos/os/src/init/child.cc b/repos/os/src/init/child.cc
index 67b386a7a..eaa7a7241 100644
--- a/repos/os/src/init/child.cc
+++ b/repos/os/src/init/child.cc
@@ -496,6 +496,10 @@ Init::Child::Route Init::Child::resolve_session_request(Service::Name const &ser
 	    label == _unique_name && _unique_name != _binary_name)
 		return resolve_session_request(service_name, _binary_name);
 
+	/* supply binary as dynamic linker if '<start ld="no">' */
+	if (!_use_ld && service_name == Rom_session::service_name() && label == "ld.lib.so")
+		return resolve_session_request(service_name, _binary_name);
+
 	/* check for "session_requests" ROM request */
 	if (service_name == Rom_session::service_name()
 	 && label.last_element() == Session_requester::rom_name())
diff --git a/repos/os/src/init/child.h b/repos/os/src/init/child.h
index 986789ba6..140a3f7e0 100644
--- a/repos/os/src/init/child.h
+++ b/repos/os/src/init/child.h
@@ -90,6 +90,11 @@ class Init::Child : Child_policy, Routed_service::Wakeup
 		typedef String<80> Version;
 		Version _version { _start_node->xml().attribute_value("version", Version()) };
 
+		/*
+		 * True if the binary is loaded with ld.lib.so
+		 */
+		bool const _use_ld = _start_node->xml().attribute_value("ld", true);
+
 		Default_route_accessor &_default_route_accessor;
 		Default_caps_accessor  &_default_caps_accessor;
 		Ram_limit_accessor     &_ram_limit_accessor;
diff --git a/repos/os/src/init/config.xsd b/repos/os/src/init/config.xsd
index 511aeaa95..e5da52ba8 100644
--- a/repos/os/src/init/config.xsd
+++ b/repos/os/src/init/config.xsd
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@
 
       </xs:choice>
       <xs:attribute name="name" type="xs:string" />
+      <xs:attribute name="ld"   type="xs:string" />
       <xs:attribute name="caps" type="xs:int" />
       <xs:attribute name="priority" type="xs:int" />
      </xs:complexType>
diff --git a/repos/ports/run/dosbox.run b/repos/ports/run/dosbox.run
index 94fbe430f..e47b765e4 100644
--- a/repos/ports/run/dosbox.run
+++ b/repos/ports/run/dosbox.run
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ append config {
 	<default caps="100"/>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/ports/run/netperf.inc b/repos/ports/run/netperf.inc
index eb3557978..a4fce3829 100644
--- a/repos/ports/run/netperf.inc
+++ b/repos/ports/run/netperf.inc
@@ -216,8 +216,14 @@ append_if $use_usb_driver config {
 		</config>
 	</start>}
 
+# don't use the dynamic linker for loading the lx_hybrid nic_drv on Linux
+proc nic_drv_ld_attr {} {
+	if {[have_spec linux]} { return {ld="no"} }
+	return ""
+}
+
 append_if $use_nic_driver config {
-	<start name="nic_drv" caps="130">
+	<start name="nic_drv" caps="130" } [nic_drv_ld_attr] {>
 		<binary name="} [nic_drv_binary] {"/>
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="20M"/>
 		<provides><service name="Nic"/></provides>
diff --git a/repos/ports/run/seoul.inc b/repos/ports/run/seoul.inc
index 1f7fbf8a2..76dbc6b49 100644
--- a/repos/ports/run/seoul.inc
+++ b/repos/ports/run/seoul.inc
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ append_if $use_framebuffer config {
 
 if {!$use_fancy_stuff} {
 append config {
-	<start name="seoul" priority="-3" caps="200">
+	<start name="seoul" priority="-3" caps="200" ld="no">
 		<binary name="seoul"/>}
 append config "
 		<resource name=\"RAM\" quantum=\"$memory_vmm_vm\"/>"
@@ -264,10 +264,9 @@ append_if [expr $use_nic_session && !$use_nic_bridge] config {
 append_if $use_framebuffer config {
 			<service name="Framebuffer"><child name="fb_drv"/></service>}
 append_if $use_genode_iso config {
+			<service name="ROM" unscoped_label="seoul"> <parent/> </service>
 			<service name="ROM" label="vm_seoul.cfg"> <parent/> </service>
 			<service name="ROM" label="platform_info"> <parent/> </service>
-			<service name="ROM" unscoped_label="seoul"> <parent/> </service>
-			<service name="ROM" unscoped_label="ld.lib.so"> <parent/> </service>
 			<service name="ROM"><child name="iso9660"/></service>}
 append config {
 			<service name="Rtc"><child name="rtc_drv"/></service>
diff --git a/repos/ports/run/virtualbox.run b/repos/ports/run/virtualbox.run
index f366f697f..814b0b2cf 100644
--- a/repos/ports/run/virtualbox.run
+++ b/repos/ports/run/virtualbox.run
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ append_if [have_spec framebuffer] config {
 	</start>}
 
 append_if [have_spec sdl] config {
-	<start name="fb_sdl" priority="-1">
+	<start name="fb_sdl" priority="-1" ld="no">
 		<resource name="RAM" quantum="4M"/>
 		<provides>
 			<service name="Input"/>
diff --git a/repos/ports/src/noux/child_policy.h b/repos/ports/src/noux/child_policy.h
index 51f9ad626..caad94efa 100644
--- a/repos/ports/src/noux/child_policy.h
+++ b/repos/ports/src/noux/child_policy.h
@@ -194,6 +194,8 @@ class Noux::Child_policy : public Genode::Child_policy
 		{
 			return &static_cast<Pd_session_component &>(pd).address_space_region_map();
 		}
+
+		bool forked() const override { return _forked; }
 };
 
 #endif /* _NOUX__CHILD_POLICY_H_ */