diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/bpf.c b/tools/lib/bpf/bpf.c
index bba48ff4c5c0..b796a16dc039 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/bpf.c
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/bpf.c
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ static inline int sys_bpf_prog_load(union bpf_attr *attr, unsigned int size)
 int bpf_create_map_xattr(const struct bpf_create_map_attr *create_attr)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, '\0', sizeof(attr));
 
@@ -102,7 +103,8 @@ int bpf_create_map_xattr(const struct bpf_create_map_attr *create_attr)
 	else
 		attr.inner_map_fd = create_attr->inner_map_fd;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_create_map_node(enum bpf_map_type map_type, const char *name,
@@ -160,6 +162,7 @@ int bpf_create_map_in_map_node(enum bpf_map_type map_type, const char *name,
 			       __u32 map_flags, int node)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, '\0', sizeof(attr));
 
@@ -178,7 +181,8 @@ int bpf_create_map_in_map_node(enum bpf_map_type map_type, const char *name,
 		attr.numa_node = node;
 	}
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_create_map_in_map(enum bpf_map_type map_type, const char *name,
@@ -222,10 +226,10 @@ int libbpf__bpf_prog_load(const struct bpf_prog_load_params *load_attr)
 	int fd;
 
 	if (!load_attr->log_buf != !load_attr->log_buf_sz)
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	if (load_attr->log_level > (4 | 2 | 1) || (load_attr->log_level && !load_attr->log_buf))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.prog_type = load_attr->prog_type;
@@ -281,8 +285,10 @@ int libbpf__bpf_prog_load(const struct bpf_prog_load_params *load_attr)
 							load_attr->func_info_cnt,
 							load_attr->func_info_rec_size,
 							attr.func_info_rec_size);
-			if (!finfo)
+			if (!finfo) {
+				errno = E2BIG;
 				goto done;
+			}
 
 			attr.func_info = ptr_to_u64(finfo);
 			attr.func_info_rec_size = load_attr->func_info_rec_size;
@@ -293,8 +299,10 @@ int libbpf__bpf_prog_load(const struct bpf_prog_load_params *load_attr)
 							load_attr->line_info_cnt,
 							load_attr->line_info_rec_size,
 							attr.line_info_rec_size);
-			if (!linfo)
+			if (!linfo) {
+				errno = E2BIG;
 				goto done;
+			}
 
 			attr.line_info = ptr_to_u64(linfo);
 			attr.line_info_rec_size = load_attr->line_info_rec_size;
@@ -318,9 +326,10 @@ int libbpf__bpf_prog_load(const struct bpf_prog_load_params *load_attr)
 
 	fd = sys_bpf_prog_load(&attr, sizeof(attr));
 done:
+	/* free() doesn't affect errno, so we don't need to restore it */
 	free(finfo);
 	free(linfo);
-	return fd;
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_load_program_xattr(const struct bpf_load_program_attr *load_attr,
@@ -329,7 +338,7 @@ int bpf_load_program_xattr(const struct bpf_load_program_attr *load_attr,
 	struct bpf_prog_load_params p = {};
 
 	if (!load_attr || !log_buf != !log_buf_sz)
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	p.prog_type = load_attr->prog_type;
 	p.expected_attach_type = load_attr->expected_attach_type;
@@ -391,6 +400,7 @@ int bpf_verify_program(enum bpf_prog_type type, const struct bpf_insn *insns,
 		       int log_level)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.prog_type = type;
@@ -404,13 +414,15 @@ int bpf_verify_program(enum bpf_prog_type type, const struct bpf_insn *insns,
 	attr.kern_version = kern_version;
 	attr.prog_flags = prog_flags;
 
-	return sys_bpf_prog_load(&attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf_prog_load(&attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_update_elem(int fd, const void *key, const void *value,
 			__u64 flags)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
@@ -418,24 +430,28 @@ int bpf_map_update_elem(int fd, const void *key, const void *value,
 	attr.value = ptr_to_u64(value);
 	attr.flags = flags;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_UPDATE_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_UPDATE_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_lookup_elem(int fd, const void *key, void *value)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
 	attr.key = ptr_to_u64(key);
 	attr.value = ptr_to_u64(value);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_LOOKUP_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_LOOKUP_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_lookup_elem_flags(int fd, const void *key, void *value, __u64 flags)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
@@ -443,52 +459,61 @@ int bpf_map_lookup_elem_flags(int fd, const void *key, void *value, __u64 flags)
 	attr.value = ptr_to_u64(value);
 	attr.flags = flags;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_LOOKUP_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_LOOKUP_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_lookup_and_delete_elem(int fd, const void *key, void *value)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
 	attr.key = ptr_to_u64(key);
 	attr.value = ptr_to_u64(value);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_LOOKUP_AND_DELETE_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_LOOKUP_AND_DELETE_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_delete_elem(int fd, const void *key)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
 	attr.key = ptr_to_u64(key);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_DELETE_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_DELETE_ELEM, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_get_next_key(int fd, const void *key, void *next_key)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
 	attr.key = ptr_to_u64(key);
 	attr.next_key = ptr_to_u64(next_key);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_GET_NEXT_KEY, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_GET_NEXT_KEY, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_freeze(int fd)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_fd = fd;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_FREEZE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_FREEZE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 static int bpf_map_batch_common(int cmd, int fd, void  *in_batch,
@@ -500,7 +525,7 @@ static int bpf_map_batch_common(int cmd, int fd, void  *in_batch,
 	int ret;
 
 	if (!OPTS_VALID(opts, bpf_map_batch_opts))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.batch.map_fd = fd;
@@ -515,7 +540,7 @@ static int bpf_map_batch_common(int cmd, int fd, void  *in_batch,
 	ret = sys_bpf(cmd, &attr, sizeof(attr));
 	*count = attr.batch.count;
 
-	return ret;
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_delete_batch(int fd, void *keys, __u32 *count,
@@ -552,22 +577,26 @@ int bpf_map_update_batch(int fd, void *keys, void *values, __u32 *count,
 int bpf_obj_pin(int fd, const char *pathname)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.pathname = ptr_to_u64((void *)pathname);
 	attr.bpf_fd = fd;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_OBJ_PIN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_OBJ_PIN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_obj_get(const char *pathname)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.pathname = ptr_to_u64((void *)pathname);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_OBJ_GET, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_OBJ_GET, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_attach(int prog_fd, int target_fd, enum bpf_attach_type type,
@@ -585,9 +614,10 @@ int bpf_prog_attach_xattr(int prog_fd, int target_fd,
 			  const struct bpf_prog_attach_opts *opts)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	if (!OPTS_VALID(opts, bpf_prog_attach_opts))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.target_fd	   = target_fd;
@@ -596,30 +626,35 @@ int bpf_prog_attach_xattr(int prog_fd, int target_fd,
 	attr.attach_flags  = OPTS_GET(opts, flags, 0);
 	attr.replace_bpf_fd = OPTS_GET(opts, replace_prog_fd, 0);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_ATTACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_ATTACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_detach(int target_fd, enum bpf_attach_type type)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.target_fd	 = target_fd;
 	attr.attach_type = type;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_DETACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_DETACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_detach2(int prog_fd, int target_fd, enum bpf_attach_type type)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.target_fd	 = target_fd;
 	attr.attach_bpf_fd = prog_fd;
 	attr.attach_type = type;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_DETACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_DETACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_link_create(int prog_fd, int target_fd,
@@ -628,15 +663,16 @@ int bpf_link_create(int prog_fd, int target_fd,
 {
 	__u32 target_btf_id, iter_info_len;
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	if (!OPTS_VALID(opts, bpf_link_create_opts))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	iter_info_len = OPTS_GET(opts, iter_info_len, 0);
 	target_btf_id = OPTS_GET(opts, target_btf_id, 0);
 
 	if (iter_info_len && target_btf_id)
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.link_create.prog_fd = prog_fd;
@@ -652,26 +688,30 @@ int bpf_link_create(int prog_fd, int target_fd,
 		attr.link_create.target_btf_id = target_btf_id;
 	}
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_link_detach(int link_fd)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.link_detach.link_fd = link_fd;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_DETACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_DETACH, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_link_update(int link_fd, int new_prog_fd,
 		    const struct bpf_link_update_opts *opts)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	if (!OPTS_VALID(opts, bpf_link_update_opts))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.link_update.link_fd = link_fd;
@@ -679,17 +719,20 @@ int bpf_link_update(int link_fd, int new_prog_fd,
 	attr.link_update.flags = OPTS_GET(opts, flags, 0);
 	attr.link_update.old_prog_fd = OPTS_GET(opts, old_prog_fd, 0);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_UPDATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_UPDATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_iter_create(int link_fd)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.iter_create.link_fd = link_fd;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_ITER_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_ITER_CREATE, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_query(int target_fd, enum bpf_attach_type type, __u32 query_flags,
@@ -706,10 +749,12 @@ int bpf_prog_query(int target_fd, enum bpf_attach_type type, __u32 query_flags,
 	attr.query.prog_ids	= ptr_to_u64(prog_ids);
 
 	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_QUERY, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+
 	if (attach_flags)
 		*attach_flags = attr.query.attach_flags;
 	*prog_cnt = attr.query.prog_cnt;
-	return ret;
+
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_test_run(int prog_fd, int repeat, void *data, __u32 size,
@@ -727,13 +772,15 @@ int bpf_prog_test_run(int prog_fd, int repeat, void *data, __u32 size,
 	attr.test.repeat = repeat;
 
 	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_TEST_RUN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+
 	if (size_out)
 		*size_out = attr.test.data_size_out;
 	if (retval)
 		*retval = attr.test.retval;
 	if (duration)
 		*duration = attr.test.duration;
-	return ret;
+
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_test_run_xattr(struct bpf_prog_test_run_attr *test_attr)
@@ -742,7 +789,7 @@ int bpf_prog_test_run_xattr(struct bpf_prog_test_run_attr *test_attr)
 	int ret;
 
 	if (!test_attr->data_out && test_attr->data_size_out > 0)
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.test.prog_fd = test_attr->prog_fd;
@@ -757,11 +804,13 @@ int bpf_prog_test_run_xattr(struct bpf_prog_test_run_attr *test_attr)
 	attr.test.repeat = test_attr->repeat;
 
 	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_TEST_RUN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+
 	test_attr->data_size_out = attr.test.data_size_out;
 	test_attr->ctx_size_out = attr.test.ctx_size_out;
 	test_attr->retval = attr.test.retval;
 	test_attr->duration = attr.test.duration;
-	return ret;
+
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_test_run_opts(int prog_fd, struct bpf_test_run_opts *opts)
@@ -770,7 +819,7 @@ int bpf_prog_test_run_opts(int prog_fd, struct bpf_test_run_opts *opts)
 	int ret;
 
 	if (!OPTS_VALID(opts, bpf_test_run_opts))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.test.prog_fd = prog_fd;
@@ -788,11 +837,13 @@ int bpf_prog_test_run_opts(int prog_fd, struct bpf_test_run_opts *opts)
 	attr.test.data_out = ptr_to_u64(OPTS_GET(opts, data_out, NULL));
 
 	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_TEST_RUN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+
 	OPTS_SET(opts, data_size_out, attr.test.data_size_out);
 	OPTS_SET(opts, ctx_size_out, attr.test.ctx_size_out);
 	OPTS_SET(opts, duration, attr.test.duration);
 	OPTS_SET(opts, retval, attr.test.retval);
-	return ret;
+
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
 
 static int bpf_obj_get_next_id(__u32 start_id, __u32 *next_id, int cmd)
@@ -807,7 +858,7 @@ static int bpf_obj_get_next_id(__u32 start_id, __u32 *next_id, int cmd)
 	if (!err)
 		*next_id = attr.next_id;
 
-	return err;
+	return libbpf_err_errno(err);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_get_next_id(__u32 start_id, __u32 *next_id)
@@ -833,41 +884,49 @@ int bpf_link_get_next_id(__u32 start_id, __u32 *next_id)
 int bpf_prog_get_fd_by_id(__u32 id)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.prog_id = id;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_map_get_fd_by_id(__u32 id)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.map_id = id;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_MAP_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_btf_get_fd_by_id(__u32 id)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.btf_id = id;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_BTF_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_BTF_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_link_get_fd_by_id(__u32 id)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.link_id = id;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_LINK_GET_FD_BY_ID, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_obj_get_info_by_fd(int bpf_fd, void *info, __u32 *info_len)
@@ -881,21 +940,24 @@ int bpf_obj_get_info_by_fd(int bpf_fd, void *info, __u32 *info_len)
 	attr.info.info = ptr_to_u64(info);
 
 	err = sys_bpf(BPF_OBJ_GET_INFO_BY_FD, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+
 	if (!err)
 		*info_len = attr.info.info_len;
 
-	return err;
+	return libbpf_err_errno(err);
 }
 
 int bpf_raw_tracepoint_open(const char *name, int prog_fd)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.raw_tracepoint.name = ptr_to_u64(name);
 	attr.raw_tracepoint.prog_fd = prog_fd;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_RAW_TRACEPOINT_OPEN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_RAW_TRACEPOINT_OPEN, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_load_btf(const void *btf, __u32 btf_size, char *log_buf, __u32 log_buf_size,
@@ -915,12 +977,13 @@ int bpf_load_btf(const void *btf, __u32 btf_size, char *log_buf, __u32 log_buf_s
 	}
 
 	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_BTF_LOAD, &attr, sizeof(attr));
-	if (fd == -1 && !do_log && log_buf && log_buf_size) {
+
+	if (fd < 0 && !do_log && log_buf && log_buf_size) {
 		do_log = true;
 		goto retry;
 	}
 
-	return fd;
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_task_fd_query(int pid, int fd, __u32 flags, char *buf, __u32 *buf_len,
@@ -937,37 +1000,42 @@ int bpf_task_fd_query(int pid, int fd, __u32 flags, char *buf, __u32 *buf_len,
 	attr.task_fd_query.buf_len = *buf_len;
 
 	err = sys_bpf(BPF_TASK_FD_QUERY, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+
 	*buf_len = attr.task_fd_query.buf_len;
 	*prog_id = attr.task_fd_query.prog_id;
 	*fd_type = attr.task_fd_query.fd_type;
 	*probe_offset = attr.task_fd_query.probe_offset;
 	*probe_addr = attr.task_fd_query.probe_addr;
 
-	return err;
+	return libbpf_err_errno(err);
 }
 
 int bpf_enable_stats(enum bpf_stats_type type)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int fd;
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.enable_stats.type = type;
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_ENABLE_STATS, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	fd = sys_bpf(BPF_ENABLE_STATS, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(fd);
 }
 
 int bpf_prog_bind_map(int prog_fd, int map_fd,
 		      const struct bpf_prog_bind_opts *opts)
 {
 	union bpf_attr attr;
+	int ret;
 
 	if (!OPTS_VALID(opts, bpf_prog_bind_opts))
-		return -EINVAL;
+		return libbpf_err(-EINVAL);
 
 	memset(&attr, 0, sizeof(attr));
 	attr.prog_bind_map.prog_fd = prog_fd;
 	attr.prog_bind_map.map_fd = map_fd;
 	attr.prog_bind_map.flags = OPTS_GET(opts, flags, 0);
 
-	return sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_BIND_MAP, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	ret = sys_bpf(BPF_PROG_BIND_MAP, &attr, sizeof(attr));
+	return libbpf_err_errno(ret);
 }
diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_internal.h b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_internal.h
index 55d9b4dca64f..04a0cc8da06e 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_internal.h
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_internal.h
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <limits.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <linux/err.h>
+#include "libbpf_legacy.h"
 
 /* make sure libbpf doesn't use kernel-only integer typedefs */
 #pragma GCC poison u8 u16 u32 u64 s8 s16 s32 s64
@@ -430,4 +433,27 @@ int btf_type_visit_str_offs(struct btf_type *t, str_off_visit_fn visit, void *ct
 int btf_ext_visit_type_ids(struct btf_ext *btf_ext, type_id_visit_fn visit, void *ctx);
 int btf_ext_visit_str_offs(struct btf_ext *btf_ext, str_off_visit_fn visit, void *ctx);
 
+extern enum libbpf_strict_mode libbpf_mode;
+
+/* handle direct returned errors */
+static inline int libbpf_err(int ret)
+{
+	if (ret < 0)
+		errno = -ret;
+	return ret;
+}
+
+/* handle errno-based (e.g., syscall or libc) errors according to libbpf's
+ * strict mode settings
+ */
+static inline int libbpf_err_errno(int ret)
+{
+	if (libbpf_mode & LIBBPF_STRICT_DIRECT_ERRS)
+		/* errno is already assumed to be set on error */
+		return ret < 0 ? -errno : ret;
+
+	/* legacy: on error return -1 directly and don't touch errno */
+	return ret;
+}
+
 #endif /* __LIBBPF_LIBBPF_INTERNAL_H */
diff --git a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_legacy.h b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_legacy.h
index 7482cfe22ab2..df0d03dcffab 100644
--- a/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_legacy.h
+++ b/tools/lib/bpf/libbpf_legacy.h
@@ -33,6 +33,18 @@ enum libbpf_strict_mode {
 	 * code so that it handles LIBBPF_STRICT_ALL mode before libbpf v1.0.
 	 */
 	LIBBPF_STRICT_NONE = 0x00,
+	/*
+	 * Return NULL pointers on error, not ERR_PTR(err).
+	 * Additionally, libbpf also always sets errno to corresponding Exx
+	 * (positive) error code.
+	 */
+	LIBBPF_STRICT_CLEAN_PTRS = 0x01,
+	/*
+	 * Return actual error codes from low-level APIs directly, not just -1.
+	 * Additionally, libbpf also always sets errno to corresponding Exx
+	 * (positive) error code.
+	 */
+	LIBBPF_STRICT_DIRECT_ERRS = 0x02,
 
 	__LIBBPF_STRICT_LAST,
 };
