diff --git a/hw/alpha/dp264.c b/hw/alpha/dp264.c
index 992d1b234d..7c5989bdc7 100644
--- a/hw/alpha/dp264.c
+++ b/hw/alpha/dp264.c
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ static void clipper_init(MachineState *machine)
     }
     size = load_elf(palcode_filename, cpu_alpha_superpage_to_phys,
                     NULL, &palcode_entry, &palcode_low, &palcode_high,
-                    0, EM_ALPHA, 0);
+                    0, EM_ALPHA, 0, 0);
     if (size < 0) {
         error_report("could not load palcode '%s'", palcode_filename);
         exit(1);
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ static void clipper_init(MachineState *machine)
 
         size = load_elf(kernel_filename, cpu_alpha_superpage_to_phys,
                         NULL, &kernel_entry, &kernel_low, &kernel_high,
-                        0, EM_ALPHA, 0);
+                        0, EM_ALPHA, 0, 0);
         if (size < 0) {
             error_report("could not load kernel '%s'", kernel_filename);
             exit(1);
diff --git a/hw/arm/armv7m.c b/hw/arm/armv7m.c
index f3973f721a..ed7d97fc21 100644
--- a/hw/arm/armv7m.c
+++ b/hw/arm/armv7m.c
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ DeviceState *armv7m_init(MemoryRegion *system_memory, int mem_size, int num_irq,
 
     if (kernel_filename) {
         image_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &entry, &lowaddr,
-                              NULL, big_endian, EM_ARM, 1);
+                              NULL, big_endian, EM_ARM, 1, 0);
         if (image_size < 0) {
             image_size = load_image_targphys(kernel_filename, 0, mem_size);
             lowaddr = 0;
diff --git a/hw/arm/boot.c b/hw/arm/boot.c
index 0a56d34cfe..17400beb58 100644
--- a/hw/arm/boot.c
+++ b/hw/arm/boot.c
@@ -755,7 +755,7 @@ static void arm_load_kernel_notify(Notifier *notifier, void *data)
     /* Assume that raw images are linux kernels, and ELF images are not.  */
     kernel_size = load_elf(info->kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &elf_entry,
                            &elf_low_addr, &elf_high_addr, big_endian,
-                           elf_machine, 1);
+                           elf_machine, 1, 0);
     if (kernel_size > 0 && have_dtb(info)) {
         /* If there is still some room left at the base of RAM, try and put
          * the DTB there like we do for images loaded with -bios or -pflash.
diff --git a/hw/core/loader.c b/hw/core/loader.c
index 125aa05de6..8e8031ca3c 100644
--- a/hw/core/loader.c
+++ b/hw/core/loader.c
@@ -412,7 +412,8 @@ fail:
 /* return < 0 if error, otherwise the number of bytes loaded in memory */
 int load_elf(const char *filename, uint64_t (*translate_fn)(void *, uint64_t),
              void *translate_opaque, uint64_t *pentry, uint64_t *lowaddr,
-             uint64_t *highaddr, int big_endian, int elf_machine, int clear_lsb)
+             uint64_t *highaddr, int big_endian, int elf_machine,
+             int clear_lsb, int data_swab)
 {
     int fd, data_order, target_data_order, must_swab, ret = ELF_LOAD_FAILED;
     uint8_t e_ident[EI_NIDENT];
@@ -451,10 +452,12 @@ int load_elf(const char *filename, uint64_t (*translate_fn)(void *, uint64_t),
     lseek(fd, 0, SEEK_SET);
     if (e_ident[EI_CLASS] == ELFCLASS64) {
         ret = load_elf64(filename, fd, translate_fn, translate_opaque, must_swab,
-                         pentry, lowaddr, highaddr, elf_machine, clear_lsb);
+                         pentry, lowaddr, highaddr, elf_machine, clear_lsb,
+                         data_swab);
     } else {
         ret = load_elf32(filename, fd, translate_fn, translate_opaque, must_swab,
-                         pentry, lowaddr, highaddr, elf_machine, clear_lsb);
+                         pentry, lowaddr, highaddr, elf_machine, clear_lsb,
+                         data_swab);
     }
 
  fail:
diff --git a/hw/cris/boot.c b/hw/cris/boot.c
index 6608160e0d..42485a4ca0 100644
--- a/hw/cris/boot.c
+++ b/hw/cris/boot.c
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ void cris_load_image(CRISCPU *cpu, struct cris_load_info *li)
     /* Boots a kernel elf binary, os/linux-2.6/vmlinux from the axis 
        devboard SDK.  */
     image_size = load_elf(li->image_filename, translate_kernel_address, NULL,
-                          &entry, NULL, &high, 0, EM_CRIS, 0);
+                          &entry, NULL, &high, 0, EM_CRIS, 0, 0);
     li->entry = entry;
     if (image_size < 0) {
         /* Takes a kimage from the axis devboard SDK.  */
diff --git a/hw/i386/multiboot.c b/hw/i386/multiboot.c
index c4d7d8328f..9e164e65d9 100644
--- a/hw/i386/multiboot.c
+++ b/hw/i386/multiboot.c
@@ -196,7 +196,8 @@ int load_multiboot(FWCfgState *fw_cfg,
         }
 
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &elf_entry,
-                               &elf_low, &elf_high, 0, I386_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                               &elf_low, &elf_high, 0, I386_ELF_MACHINE,
+                               0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
             fprintf(stderr, "Error while loading elf kernel\n");
             exit(1);
diff --git a/hw/lm32/lm32_boards.c b/hw/lm32/lm32_boards.c
index efa6f91fd2..c5a848b06c 100644
--- a/hw/lm32/lm32_boards.c
+++ b/hw/lm32/lm32_boards.c
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ static void lm32_evr_init(MachineState *machine)
         int kernel_size;
 
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &entry, NULL, NULL,
-                               1, EM_LATTICEMICO32, 0);
+                               1, EM_LATTICEMICO32, 0, 0);
         reset_info->bootstrap_pc = entry;
 
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ static void lm32_uclinux_init(MachineState *machine)
         int kernel_size;
 
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &entry, NULL, NULL,
-                               1, EM_LATTICEMICO32, 0);
+                               1, EM_LATTICEMICO32, 0, 0);
         reset_info->bootstrap_pc = entry;
 
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
diff --git a/hw/lm32/milkymist.c b/hw/lm32/milkymist.c
index 5a37b4a1c1..f71492ef7e 100644
--- a/hw/lm32/milkymist.c
+++ b/hw/lm32/milkymist.c
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ milkymist_init(MachineState *machine)
 
         /* Boots a kernel elf binary.  */
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &entry, NULL, NULL,
-                               1, EM_LATTICEMICO32, 0);
+                               1, EM_LATTICEMICO32, 0, 0);
         reset_info->bootstrap_pc = entry;
 
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
diff --git a/hw/m68k/an5206.c b/hw/m68k/an5206.c
index d87b945f05..85f72770d7 100644
--- a/hw/m68k/an5206.c
+++ b/hw/m68k/an5206.c
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ static void an5206_init(MachineState *machine)
     }
 
     kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &elf_entry,
-                           NULL, NULL, 1, EM_68K, 0);
+                           NULL, NULL, 1, EM_68K, 0, 0);
     entry = elf_entry;
     if (kernel_size < 0) {
         kernel_size = load_uimage(kernel_filename, &entry, NULL, NULL,
diff --git a/hw/m68k/dummy_m68k.c b/hw/m68k/dummy_m68k.c
index a213bcf307..3c2174b505 100644
--- a/hw/m68k/dummy_m68k.c
+++ b/hw/m68k/dummy_m68k.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ static void dummy_m68k_init(MachineState *machine)
     /* Load kernel.  */
     if (kernel_filename) {
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &elf_entry,
-                               NULL, NULL, 1, EM_68K, 0);
+                               NULL, NULL, 1, EM_68K, 0, 0);
         entry = elf_entry;
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
             kernel_size = load_uimage(kernel_filename, &entry, NULL, NULL,
diff --git a/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c b/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c
index 9597e861ab..4f49d34a8f 100644
--- a/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c
+++ b/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ static void mcf5208evb_init(MachineState *machine)
     }
 
     kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &elf_entry,
-                           NULL, NULL, 1, EM_68K, 0);
+                           NULL, NULL, 1, EM_68K, 0, 0);
     entry = elf_entry;
     if (kernel_size < 0) {
         kernel_size = load_uimage(kernel_filename, &entry, NULL, NULL,
diff --git a/hw/microblaze/boot.c b/hw/microblaze/boot.c
index 26cc3786f4..c24014a1f3 100644
--- a/hw/microblaze/boot.c
+++ b/hw/microblaze/boot.c
@@ -142,12 +142,12 @@ void microblaze_load_kernel(MicroBlazeCPU *cpu, hwaddr ddr_base,
         /* Boots a kernel elf binary.  */
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL,
                                &entry, &low, &high,
-                               big_endian, EM_MICROBLAZE, 0);
+                               big_endian, EM_MICROBLAZE, 0, 0);
         base32 = entry;
         if (base32 == 0xc0000000) {
             kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_kernel_address,
                                    NULL, &entry, NULL, NULL,
-                                   big_endian, EM_MICROBLAZE, 0);
+                                   big_endian, EM_MICROBLAZE, 0, 0);
         }
         /* Always boot into physical ram.  */
         boot_info.bootstrap_pc = (uint32_t)entry;
diff --git a/hw/mips/mips_fulong2e.c b/hw/mips/mips_fulong2e.c
index 184c404454..4e5581b167 100644
--- a/hw/mips/mips_fulong2e.c
+++ b/hw/mips/mips_fulong2e.c
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ static int64_t load_kernel (CPUMIPSState *env)
 
     if (load_elf(loaderparams.kernel_filename, cpu_mips_kseg0_to_phys, NULL,
                  (uint64_t *)&kernel_entry, (uint64_t *)&kernel_low,
-                 (uint64_t *)&kernel_high, 0, EM_MIPS, 1) < 0) {
+                 (uint64_t *)&kernel_high, 0, EM_MIPS, 1, 0) < 0) {
         fprintf(stderr, "qemu: could not load kernel '%s'\n",
                 loaderparams.kernel_filename);
         exit(1);
diff --git a/hw/mips/mips_malta.c b/hw/mips/mips_malta.c
index c04aa2b8cc..f5173c42de 100644
--- a/hw/mips/mips_malta.c
+++ b/hw/mips/mips_malta.c
@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ static int64_t load_kernel (void)
 
     if (load_elf(loaderparams.kernel_filename, cpu_mips_kseg0_to_phys, NULL,
                  (uint64_t *)&kernel_entry, NULL, (uint64_t *)&kernel_high,
-                 big_endian, EM_MIPS, 1) < 0) {
+                 big_endian, EM_MIPS, 1, 0) < 0) {
         fprintf(stderr, "qemu: could not load kernel '%s'\n",
                 loaderparams.kernel_filename);
         exit(1);
diff --git a/hw/mips/mips_mipssim.c b/hw/mips/mips_mipssim.c
index 8951ae97d3..1ecff44a54 100644
--- a/hw/mips/mips_mipssim.c
+++ b/hw/mips/mips_mipssim.c
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ static int64_t load_kernel(void)
     kernel_size = load_elf(loaderparams.kernel_filename, cpu_mips_kseg0_to_phys,
                            NULL, (uint64_t *)&entry, NULL,
                            (uint64_t *)&kernel_high, big_endian,
-                           EM_MIPS, 1);
+                           EM_MIPS, 1, 0);
     if (kernel_size >= 0) {
         if ((entry & ~0x7fffffffULL) == 0x80000000)
             entry = (int32_t)entry;
diff --git a/hw/mips/mips_r4k.c b/hw/mips/mips_r4k.c
index b6625aeee4..724b1e9d51 100644
--- a/hw/mips/mips_r4k.c
+++ b/hw/mips/mips_r4k.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ static int64_t load_kernel(void)
     kernel_size = load_elf(loaderparams.kernel_filename, cpu_mips_kseg0_to_phys,
                            NULL, (uint64_t *)&entry, NULL,
                            (uint64_t *)&kernel_high, big_endian,
-                           EM_MIPS, 1);
+                           EM_MIPS, 1, 0);
     if (kernel_size >= 0) {
         if ((entry & ~0x7fffffffULL) == 0x80000000)
             entry = (int32_t)entry;
diff --git a/hw/moxie/moxiesim.c b/hw/moxie/moxiesim.c
index 9191ae9603..d88c9428e0 100644
--- a/hw/moxie/moxiesim.c
+++ b/hw/moxie/moxiesim.c
@@ -54,7 +54,8 @@ static void load_kernel(MoxieCPU *cpu, LoaderParams *loader_params)
     ram_addr_t initrd_offset;
 
     kernel_size = load_elf(loader_params->kernel_filename,  NULL, NULL,
-                           &entry, &kernel_low, &kernel_high, 1, EM_MOXIE, 0);
+                           &entry, &kernel_low, &kernel_high, 1, EM_MOXIE,
+                           0, 0);
 
     if (kernel_size <= 0) {
         fprintf(stderr, "qemu: could not load kernel '%s'\n",
diff --git a/hw/openrisc/openrisc_sim.c b/hw/openrisc/openrisc_sim.c
index 25c637aba7..46418c30f7 100644
--- a/hw/openrisc/openrisc_sim.c
+++ b/hw/openrisc/openrisc_sim.c
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ static void cpu_openrisc_load_kernel(ram_addr_t ram_size,
 
     if (kernel_filename && !qtest_enabled()) {
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL,
-                               &elf_entry, NULL, NULL, 1, EM_OPENRISC, 1);
+                               &elf_entry, NULL, NULL, 1, EM_OPENRISC,
+                               1, 0);
         entry = elf_entry;
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
             kernel_size = load_uimage(kernel_filename,
diff --git a/hw/pci-host/prep.c b/hw/pci-host/prep.c
index 5dc550fe5e..49cdaab36b 100644
--- a/hw/pci-host/prep.c
+++ b/hw/pci-host/prep.c
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ static void raven_realize(PCIDevice *d, Error **errp)
         if (filename) {
             if (s->elf_machine != EM_NONE) {
                 bios_size = load_elf(filename, NULL, NULL, NULL,
-                                     NULL, NULL, 1, s->elf_machine, 0);
+                                     NULL, NULL, 1, s->elf_machine, 0, 0);
             }
             if (bios_size < 0) {
                 bios_size = get_image_size(filename);
diff --git a/hw/ppc/e500.c b/hw/ppc/e500.c
index bd84e9ac13..09154fa813 100644
--- a/hw/ppc/e500.c
+++ b/hw/ppc/e500.c
@@ -1017,7 +1017,7 @@ void ppce500_init(MachineState *machine, PPCE500Params *params)
     filename = qemu_find_file(QEMU_FILE_TYPE_BIOS, bios_name);
 
     bios_size = load_elf(filename, NULL, NULL, &bios_entry, &loadaddr, NULL,
-                         1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                         1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0, 0);
     if (bios_size < 0) {
         /*
          * Hrm. No ELF image? Try a uImage, maybe someone is giving us an
diff --git a/hw/ppc/mac_newworld.c b/hw/ppc/mac_newworld.c
index f95086b787..f0a36b3133 100644
--- a/hw/ppc/mac_newworld.c
+++ b/hw/ppc/mac_newworld.c
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ static void ppc_core99_init(MachineState *machine)
     /* Load OpenBIOS (ELF) */
     if (filename) {
         bios_size = load_elf(filename, NULL, NULL, NULL,
-                             NULL, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                             NULL, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0, 0);
 
         g_free(filename);
     } else {
@@ -244,7 +244,8 @@ static void ppc_core99_init(MachineState *machine)
         kernel_base = KERNEL_LOAD_ADDR;
 
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_kernel_address, NULL,
-                               NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                               NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE,
+                               0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0)
             kernel_size = load_aout(kernel_filename, kernel_base,
                                     ram_size - kernel_base, bswap_needed,
diff --git a/hw/ppc/mac_oldworld.c b/hw/ppc/mac_oldworld.c
index 898439860c..d952713313 100644
--- a/hw/ppc/mac_oldworld.c
+++ b/hw/ppc/mac_oldworld.c
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ static void ppc_heathrow_init(MachineState *machine)
     /* Load OpenBIOS (ELF) */
     if (filename) {
         bios_size = load_elf(filename, 0, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL,
-                             1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                             1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0, 0);
         g_free(filename);
     } else {
         bios_size = -1;
@@ -170,7 +170,8 @@ static void ppc_heathrow_init(MachineState *machine)
 #endif
         kernel_base = KERNEL_LOAD_ADDR;
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_kernel_address, NULL,
-                               NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                               NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE,
+                               0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0)
             kernel_size = load_aout(kernel_filename, kernel_base,
                                     ram_size - kernel_base, bswap_needed,
diff --git a/hw/ppc/ppc440_bamboo.c b/hw/ppc/ppc440_bamboo.c
index e535a9f266..5c535b18a2 100644
--- a/hw/ppc/ppc440_bamboo.c
+++ b/hw/ppc/ppc440_bamboo.c
@@ -256,7 +256,8 @@ static void bamboo_init(MachineState *machine)
                               NULL, NULL);
         if (success < 0) {
             success = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &elf_entry,
-                               &elf_lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                               &elf_lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE,
+                               0, 0);
             entry = elf_entry;
             loadaddr = elf_lowaddr;
         }
diff --git a/hw/ppc/spapr.c b/hw/ppc/spapr.c
index e9d4abf06a..64c4acce06 100644
--- a/hw/ppc/spapr.c
+++ b/hw/ppc/spapr.c
@@ -1942,11 +1942,13 @@ static void ppc_spapr_init(MachineState *machine)
         uint64_t lowaddr = 0;
 
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_kernel_address, NULL,
-                               NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                               NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE,
+                               0, 0);
         if (kernel_size == ELF_LOAD_WRONG_ENDIAN) {
             kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename,
                                    translate_kernel_address, NULL,
-                                   NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 0, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                                   NULL, &lowaddr, NULL, 0, PPC_ELF_MACHINE,
+                                   0, 0);
             kernel_le = kernel_size > 0;
         }
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
diff --git a/hw/ppc/virtex_ml507.c b/hw/ppc/virtex_ml507.c
index a902c88277..b807a08c28 100644
--- a/hw/ppc/virtex_ml507.c
+++ b/hw/ppc/virtex_ml507.c
@@ -258,7 +258,8 @@ static void virtex_init(MachineState *machine)
 
         /* Boots a kernel elf binary.  */
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL,
-                               &entry, &low, &high, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE, 0);
+                               &entry, &low, &high, 1, PPC_ELF_MACHINE,
+                               0, 0);
         boot_info.bootstrap_pc = entry & 0x00ffffff;
 
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
diff --git a/hw/s390x/ipl.c b/hw/s390x/ipl.c
index c9cf7cce64..41ff002069 100644
--- a/hw/s390x/ipl.c
+++ b/hw/s390x/ipl.c
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ static void s390_ipl_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
 
         bios_size = load_elf(bios_filename, bios_translate_addr, &fwbase,
                              &ipl->bios_start_addr, NULL, NULL, 1,
-                             EM_S390, 0);
+                             EM_S390, 0, 0);
         if (bios_size > 0) {
             /* Adjust ELF start address to final location */
             ipl->bios_start_addr += fwbase;
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ static void s390_ipl_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
 
     if (ipl->kernel) {
         kernel_size = load_elf(ipl->kernel, NULL, NULL, &pentry, NULL,
-                               NULL, 1, EM_S390, 0);
+                               NULL, 1, EM_S390, 0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
             kernel_size = load_image_targphys(ipl->kernel, 0, ram_size);
         }
diff --git a/hw/sparc/leon3.c b/hw/sparc/leon3.c
index 07c5c850ef..c579f5b9ea 100644
--- a/hw/sparc/leon3.c
+++ b/hw/sparc/leon3.c
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ static void leon3_generic_hw_init(MachineState *machine)
         uint64_t entry;
 
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, &entry, NULL, NULL,
-                               1 /* big endian */, EM_SPARC, 0);
+                               1 /* big endian */, EM_SPARC, 0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
             fprintf(stderr, "qemu: could not load kernel '%s'\n",
                     kernel_filename);
diff --git a/hw/sparc/sun4m.c b/hw/sparc/sun4m.c
index 20dc341710..eebef37897 100644
--- a/hw/sparc/sun4m.c
+++ b/hw/sparc/sun4m.c
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ static unsigned long sun4m_load_kernel(const char *kernel_filename,
         bswap_needed = 0;
 #endif
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_kernel_address, NULL,
-                               NULL, NULL, NULL, 1, EM_SPARC, 0);
+                               NULL, NULL, NULL, 1, EM_SPARC, 0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0)
             kernel_size = load_aout(kernel_filename, KERNEL_LOAD_ADDR,
                                     RAM_size - KERNEL_LOAD_ADDR, bswap_needed,
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@ static void prom_init(hwaddr addr, const char *bios_name)
     filename = qemu_find_file(QEMU_FILE_TYPE_BIOS, bios_name);
     if (filename) {
         ret = load_elf(filename, translate_prom_address, &addr, NULL,
-                       NULL, NULL, 1, EM_SPARC, 0);
+                       NULL, NULL, 1, EM_SPARC, 0, 0);
         if (ret < 0 || ret > PROM_SIZE_MAX) {
             ret = load_image_targphys(filename, addr, PROM_SIZE_MAX);
         }
diff --git a/hw/sparc64/sun4u.c b/hw/sparc64/sun4u.c
index add1e752f3..0a6f453858 100644
--- a/hw/sparc64/sun4u.c
+++ b/hw/sparc64/sun4u.c
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ static uint64_t sun4u_load_kernel(const char *kernel_filename,
         bswap_needed = 0;
 #endif
         kernel_size = load_elf(kernel_filename, NULL, NULL, kernel_entry,
-                               kernel_addr, &kernel_top, 1, EM_SPARCV9, 0);
+                               kernel_addr, &kernel_top, 1, EM_SPARCV9, 0, 0);
         if (kernel_size < 0) {
             *kernel_addr = KERNEL_LOAD_ADDR;
             *kernel_entry = KERNEL_LOAD_ADDR;
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ static void prom_init(hwaddr addr, const char *bios_name)
     filename = qemu_find_file(QEMU_FILE_TYPE_BIOS, bios_name);
     if (filename) {
         ret = load_elf(filename, translate_prom_address, &addr,
-                       NULL, NULL, NULL, 1, EM_SPARCV9, 0);
+                       NULL, NULL, NULL, 1, EM_SPARCV9, 0, 0);
         if (ret < 0 || ret > PROM_SIZE_MAX) {
             ret = load_image_targphys(filename, addr, PROM_SIZE_MAX);
         }
diff --git a/hw/tricore/tricore_testboard.c b/hw/tricore/tricore_testboard.c
index 9392571f1f..3cadb6521c 100644
--- a/hw/tricore/tricore_testboard.c
+++ b/hw/tricore/tricore_testboard.c
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ static void tricore_load_kernel(CPUTriCoreState *env)
     kernel_size = load_elf(tricoretb_binfo.kernel_filename, NULL,
                            NULL, (uint64_t *)&entry, NULL,
                            NULL, 0,
-                           EM_TRICORE, 1);
+                           EM_TRICORE, 1, 0);
     if (kernel_size <= 0) {
         error_report("qemu: no kernel file '%s'",
                 tricoretb_binfo.kernel_filename);
diff --git a/hw/xtensa/sim.c b/hw/xtensa/sim.c
index 3a5060b03b..23050e8fb7 100644
--- a/hw/xtensa/sim.c
+++ b/hw/xtensa/sim.c
@@ -94,10 +94,10 @@ static void xtensa_sim_init(MachineState *machine)
         uint64_t elf_lowaddr;
 #ifdef TARGET_WORDS_BIGENDIAN
         int success = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_phys_addr, cpu,
-                &elf_entry, &elf_lowaddr, NULL, 1, EM_XTENSA, 0);
+                &elf_entry, &elf_lowaddr, NULL, 1, EM_XTENSA, 0, 0);
 #else
         int success = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_phys_addr, cpu,
-                &elf_entry, &elf_lowaddr, NULL, 0, EM_XTENSA, 0);
+                &elf_entry, &elf_lowaddr, NULL, 0, EM_XTENSA, 0, 0);
 #endif
         if (success > 0) {
             env->pc = elf_entry;
diff --git a/hw/xtensa/xtfpga.c b/hw/xtensa/xtfpga.c
index fe7684d41c..ed09b9d809 100644
--- a/hw/xtensa/xtfpga.c
+++ b/hw/xtensa/xtfpga.c
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ static void lx_init(const LxBoardDesc *board, MachineState *machine)
         uint64_t elf_entry;
         uint64_t elf_lowaddr;
         int success = load_elf(kernel_filename, translate_phys_addr, cpu,
-                &elf_entry, &elf_lowaddr, NULL, be, EM_XTENSA, 0);
+                &elf_entry, &elf_lowaddr, NULL, be, EM_XTENSA, 0, 0);
         if (success > 0) {
             entry_point = elf_entry;
         } else {
diff --git a/include/hw/elf_ops.h b/include/hw/elf_ops.h
index 0010c441d9..f510e7ec2a 100644
--- a/include/hw/elf_ops.h
+++ b/include/hw/elf_ops.h
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ static int glue(load_elf, SZ)(const char *name, int fd,
                               void *translate_opaque,
                               int must_swab, uint64_t *pentry,
                               uint64_t *lowaddr, uint64_t *highaddr,
-                              int elf_machine, int clear_lsb)
+                              int elf_machine, int clear_lsb, int data_swab)
 {
     struct elfhdr ehdr;
     struct elf_phdr *phdr = NULL, *ph;
@@ -366,6 +366,26 @@ static int glue(load_elf, SZ)(const char *name, int fd,
                 addr = ph->p_paddr;
             }
 
+            if (data_swab) {
+                int j;
+                for (j = 0; j < file_size; j += (1 << data_swab)) {
+                    uint8_t *dp = data + j;
+                    switch (data_swab) {
+                    case (1):
+                        *(uint16_t *)dp = bswap16(*(uint16_t *)dp);
+                        break;
+                    case (2):
+                        *(uint32_t *)dp = bswap32(*(uint32_t *)dp);
+                        break;
+                    case (3):
+                        *(uint64_t *)dp = bswap64(*(uint64_t *)dp);
+                        break;
+                    default:
+                        g_assert_not_reached();
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
             /* the entry pointer in the ELF header is a virtual
              * address, if the text segments paddr and vaddr differ
              * we need to adjust the entry */
diff --git a/include/hw/loader.h b/include/hw/loader.h
index 5485906095..0ba780852c 100644
--- a/include/hw/loader.h
+++ b/include/hw/loader.h
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ const char *load_elf_strerror(int error);
  * @elf_machine: Expected ELF machine type
  * @clear_lsb: Set to mask off LSB of addresses (Some architectures use
  *             this for non-address data)
+ * @data_swab: Set to order of byte swapping for data. 0 for no swap, 1
+ *             for swapping bytes within halfwords, 2 for bytes within
+ *             words and 3 for within doublewords.
  *
  * Load an ELF file's contents to the emulated system's address space.
  * Clients may optionally specify a callback to perform address
@@ -70,7 +73,7 @@ const char *load_elf_strerror(int error);
 int load_elf(const char *filename, uint64_t (*translate_fn)(void *, uint64_t),
              void *translate_opaque, uint64_t *pentry, uint64_t *lowaddr,
              uint64_t *highaddr, int big_endian, int elf_machine,
-             int clear_lsb);
+             int clear_lsb, int data_swab);
 
 /** load_elf_hdr:
  * @filename: Path of ELF file