diff --git a/guix/build/utils.scm b/guix/build/utils.scm
index 737976e8e4..de1cfcea42 100644
--- a/guix/build/utils.scm
+++ b/guix/build/utils.scm
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 
             directory-exists?
             executable-file?
+            symbolic-link?
             call-with-ascii-input-file
             elf-file?
             ar-file?
@@ -93,6 +94,10 @@
     (and s
          (not (zero? (logand (stat:mode s) #o100))))))
 
+(define (symbolic-link? file)
+  "Return #t if FILE is a symbolic link (aka. \"symlink\".)"
+  (eq? (stat:type (lstat file)) 'symlink))
+
 (define (call-with-ascii-input-file file proc)
   "Open FILE as an ASCII or binary file, and pass the resulting port to
 PROC.  FILE is closed when PROC's dynamic extent is left.  Return the