diff --git a/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/link.rs b/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/link.rs
index 4d6bc8381300a..e7938fe8af968 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/link.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/link.rs
@@ -1651,6 +1651,12 @@ fn linker_with_args<'a, B: ArchiveBuilder<'a>>(
         cmd.add_eh_frame_header();
     }
 
+    // NO-OPT-OUT, OBJECT-FILES-NO
+    // Avoid linking to dynamic libraries unless they satisfy some undefined symbols
+    // at the point at which they are specified on the command line.
+    // Must be passed before any dynamic libraries.
+    cmd.add_as_needed();
+
     // NO-OPT-OUT, OBJECT-FILES-NO
     if crt_objects_fallback {
         cmd.no_crt_objects();
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/linker.rs b/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/linker.rs
index bb35e7ec89439..592675d916a2e 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/linker.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/back/linker.rs
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ pub trait Linker {
     fn group_end(&mut self);
     fn linker_plugin_lto(&mut self);
     fn add_eh_frame_header(&mut self) {}
+    fn add_as_needed(&mut self) {}
     fn finalize(&mut self);
 }
 
@@ -641,6 +642,12 @@ impl<'a> Linker for GccLinker<'a> {
     fn add_eh_frame_header(&mut self) {
         self.linker_arg("--eh-frame-hdr");
     }
+
+    fn add_as_needed(&mut self) {
+        if self.sess.target.linker_is_gnu {
+            self.linker_arg("--as-needed");
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 pub struct MsvcLinker<'a> {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/avr_gnu_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/avr_gnu_base.rs
index 67a7684da2c70..df4389b8165a8 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/avr_gnu_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/avr_gnu_base.rs
@@ -21,22 +21,9 @@ pub fn target(target_cpu: String) -> Target {
             has_rpath: false,
             position_independent_executables: false,
             eh_frame_header: false,
-            pre_link_args: vec![(
-                LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
-                vec![
-                    format!("-mmcu={}", target_cpu),
-                    // We want to be able to strip as much executable code as possible
-                    // from the linker command line, and this flag indicates to the
-                    // linker that it can avoid linking in dynamic libraries that don't
-                    // actually satisfy any symbols up to that point (as with many other
-                    // resolutions the linker does). This option only applies to all
-                    // following libraries so we're sure to pass it as one of the first
-                    // arguments.
-                    "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
-                ],
-            )]
-            .into_iter()
-            .collect(),
+            pre_link_args: vec![(LinkerFlavor::Gcc, vec![format!("-mmcu={}", target_cpu)])]
+                .into_iter()
+                .collect(),
             late_link_args: vec![(LinkerFlavor::Gcc, vec!["-lgcc".to_owned()])]
                 .into_iter()
                 .collect(),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs
index b96de7ab1ed19..41d372cc6db40 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs
@@ -5,11 +5,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
     args.insert(
         LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
         vec![
-            // GNU-style linkers will use this to omit linking to libraries
-            // which don't actually fulfill any relocations, but only for
-            // libraries which follow this flag.  Thus, use it before
-            // specifying libraries to link to.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
             // Always enable NX protection when it is available
             "-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string(),
         ],
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs
index c70c492716b30..86db2bf8eed0b 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs
@@ -5,11 +5,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
     args.insert(
         LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
         vec![
-            // GNU-style linkers will use this to omit linking to libraries
-            // which don't actually fulfill any relocations, but only for
-            // libraries which follow this flag.  Thus, use it before
-            // specifying libraries to link to.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
             // Always enable NX protection when it is available
             "-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string(),
         ],
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_unknown_netbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_unknown_netbsd.rs
index c4d11bfb13ece..e020264ad7af2 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_unknown_netbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_unknown_netbsd.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::netbsd_base::opts();
     base.cpu = "pentium4".to_string();
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m32".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m32".to_string());
     base.stack_probes = StackProbeType::InlineOrCall { min_llvm_version_for_inline: (11, 0, 1) };
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_wrs_vxworks.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_wrs_vxworks.rs
index ec8a2493b4e42..e596eca86b0d7 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_wrs_vxworks.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/i686_wrs_vxworks.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::vxworks_base::opts();
     base.cpu = "pentium4".to_string();
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m32".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m32".to_string());
     base.stack_probes = StackProbeType::InlineOrCall { min_llvm_version_for_inline: (11, 0, 1) };
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs
index 0631644ad6355..aa2ff7bb3993f 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs
@@ -5,14 +5,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
     args.insert(
         LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
         vec![
-            // We want to be able to strip as much executable code as possible
-            // from the linker command line, and this flag indicates to the
-            // linker that it can avoid linking in dynamic libraries that don't
-            // actually satisfy any symbols up to that point (as with many other
-            // resolutions the linker does). This option only applies to all
-            // following libraries so we're sure to pass it as one of the first
-            // arguments.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
             // Always enable NX protection when it is available
             "-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string(),
         ],
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_kernel_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_kernel_base.rs
index 5220156895367..e71c80e556e8a 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_kernel_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_kernel_base.rs
@@ -4,10 +4,7 @@ use crate::spec::{
 
 pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
     let mut pre_link_args = LinkArgs::new();
-    pre_link_args.insert(
-        LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
-        vec!["-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(), "-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string()],
-    );
+    pre_link_args.insert(LinkerFlavor::Gcc, vec!["-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string()]);
 
     TargetOptions {
         env: "gnu".to_string(),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs
index a77d60bd9d747..680cd60788bde 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs
@@ -1,18 +1,6 @@
-use crate::spec::{LinkArgs, LinkerFlavor, RelroLevel, TargetOptions};
+use crate::spec::{RelroLevel, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
-    let mut args = LinkArgs::new();
-    args.insert(
-        LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
-        vec![
-            // GNU-style linkers will use this to omit linking to libraries
-            // which don't actually fulfill any relocations, but only for
-            // libraries which follow this flag.  Thus, use it before
-            // specifying libraries to link to.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
-        ],
-    );
-
     TargetOptions {
         os: "netbsd".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
@@ -21,7 +9,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         no_default_libraries: false,
         has_rpath: true,
-        pre_link_args: args,
         position_independent_executables: true,
         relro_level: RelroLevel::Full,
         use_ctors_section: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs
index 2b40a1ed945cf..0aeefba3647d1 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs
@@ -5,11 +5,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
     args.insert(
         LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
         vec![
-            // GNU-style linkers will use this to omit linking to libraries
-            // which don't actually fulfill any relocations, but only for
-            // libraries which follow this flag.  Thus, use it before
-            // specifying libraries to link to.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
             // Always enable NX protection when it is available
             "-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string(),
         ],
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs
index 2f28a8562472d..3ebc5469e0a8b 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::vxworks_base::opts();
     base.cpu = "ppc64".to_string();
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m64".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m64".to_string());
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs
index 1245098329aee..4cc5224fae30d 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::netbsd_base::opts();
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m32".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m32".to_string());
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(32);
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs
index bb943a8825c6c..2f0a6ca44a008 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::vxworks_base::opts();
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m32".to_string());
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("--secure-plt".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m32".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("--secure-plt".to_string());
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(32);
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs
index 4b4f118ba49bd..215f1a36227d7 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::vxworks_base::opts();
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-mspe".to_string());
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("--secure-plt".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-mspe".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("--secure-plt".to_string());
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(32);
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs
index 5ef705878a8ff..20c91708faadf 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs
@@ -5,14 +5,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
     args.insert(
         LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
         vec![
-            // We want to be able to strip as much executable code as possible
-            // from the linker command line, and this flag indicates to the
-            // linker that it can avoid linking in dynamic libraries that don't
-            // actually satisfy any symbols up to that point (as with many other
-            // resolutions the linker does). This option only applies to all
-            // following libraries so we're sure to pass it as one of the first
-            // arguments.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
             // Always enable NX protection when it is available
             "-Wl,-z,noexecstack".to_string(),
         ],
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs
index 7d685c83100d3..b4286dfd88f11 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::netbsd_base::opts();
     base.cpu = "v9".to_string();
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m64".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m64".to_string());
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs
index 70bc9ce3e0e2d..8396d0463d931 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs
@@ -1,21 +1,6 @@
-use crate::spec::{LinkArgs, LinkerFlavor, TargetOptions};
+use crate::spec::TargetOptions;
 
 pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
-    let mut args = LinkArgs::new();
-    args.insert(
-        LinkerFlavor::Gcc,
-        vec![
-            // We want to be able to strip as much executable code as possible
-            // from the linker command line, and this flag indicates to the
-            // linker that it can avoid linking in dynamic libraries that don't
-            // actually satisfy any symbols up to that point (as with many other
-            // resolutions the linker does). This option only applies to all
-            // following libraries so we're sure to pass it as one of the first
-            // arguments.
-            "-Wl,--as-needed".to_string(),
-        ],
-    );
-
     TargetOptions {
         os: "vxworks".to_string(),
         env: "gnu".to_string(),
@@ -27,7 +12,6 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
-        pre_link_args: args,
         position_independent_executables: false,
         has_elf_tls: true,
         crt_static_default: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_fortanix_unknown_sgx.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_fortanix_unknown_sgx.rs
index 74fb6f0a8341c..aacbdbdeefbef 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_fortanix_unknown_sgx.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_fortanix_unknown_sgx.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ use super::{LinkerFlavor, LldFlavor, PanicStrategy, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     const PRE_LINK_ARGS: &[&str] = &[
-        "--as-needed",
         "-z",
         "noexecstack",
         "-e",
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_unknown_netbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_unknown_netbsd.rs
index 6d19dec00b411..54e7ceee82e8a 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_unknown_netbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_unknown_netbsd.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::netbsd_base::opts();
     base.cpu = "x86-64".to_string();
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m64".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m64".to_string());
     base.stack_probes = StackProbeType::InlineOrCall { min_llvm_version_for_inline: (11, 0, 1) };
 
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_wrs_vxworks.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_wrs_vxworks.rs
index 1b35e813fcd8f..f9fa9d9384304 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_wrs_vxworks.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/x86_64_wrs_vxworks.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::vxworks_base::opts();
     base.cpu = "x86-64".to_string();
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
-    base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m64".to_string());
+    base.pre_link_args.entry(LinkerFlavor::Gcc).or_default().push("-m64".to_string());
     base.stack_probes = StackProbeType::InlineOrCall { min_llvm_version_for_inline: (11, 0, 1) };
     base.disable_redzone = true;