diff --git a/archival/cpio.c b/archival/cpio.c
index 1d6cbd1e2..308ec1b25 100644
--- a/archival/cpio.c
+++ b/archival/cpio.c
@@ -508,6 +508,8 @@ int cpio_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	while (get_header_cpio(archive_handle) == EXIT_SUCCESS)
 		continue;
 
+	create_symlinks_from_list(archive_handle->symlink_placeholders);
+
 	if (archive_handle->cpio__blocks != (off_t)-1
 	 && !(opt & OPT_QUIET)
 	) {