diff --git a/pulsar-broker/src/main/java/com/yahoo/pulsar/broker/loadbalance/impl/LinuxBrokerHostUsageImpl.java b/pulsar-broker/src/main/java/com/yahoo/pulsar/broker/loadbalance/impl/LinuxBrokerHostUsageImpl.java
index 3abe6a14bd744..5c7e5457a0980 100644
--- a/pulsar-broker/src/main/java/com/yahoo/pulsar/broker/loadbalance/impl/LinuxBrokerHostUsageImpl.java
+++ b/pulsar-broker/src/main/java/com/yahoo/pulsar/broker/loadbalance/impl/LinuxBrokerHostUsageImpl.java
@@ -159,7 +159,8 @@ private List<String> getNics() {
 
     private boolean isPhysicalNic(Path path) {
         try {
-            if (!Files.readSymbolicLink(path).toString().contains("/virtual/")) {
+            path = Files.isSymbolicLink(path) ? Files.readSymbolicLink(path) : path;
+            if (!path.toString().contains("/virtual/")) {
                 try {
                     Files.readAllBytes(path.resolve("speed"));
                     return true;