diff --git a/pisi/util.py b/pisi/util.py
index 9a2e332d..2c4603d7 100644
--- a/pisi/util.py
+++ b/pisi/util.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import os
 import re
 import sys
 import sha
+import magic
 import shutil
 import string
 import statvfs
@@ -532,8 +533,9 @@ def strip_directory(top, excludelist=[]):
 
 def strip_file(filepath, outpath):
     """Strip an elf file from debug symbols."""
-    p = os.popen("file \"%s\"" % filepath)
-    o = p.read()
+    ms = magic.open(magic.MAGIC_NONE)
+    ms.load()
+    o = ms.file(filepath)
 
     def run_strip(f, flags=""):
         p = os.popen("strip %s %s" %(flags, f))