diff --git a/cmd/kubectl/BUILD b/cmd/kubectl/BUILD
index da36e7fcb0..a4c15004d4 100644
--- a/cmd/kubectl/BUILD
+++ b/cmd/kubectl/BUILD
@@ -7,12 +7,17 @@ load("//pkg/version:def.bzl", "version_x_defs")
 
 go_binary(
     name = "kubectl",
-    gc_linkopts = [
-        "-linkmode",
-        "external",
-        "-extldflags",
-        "-static",
-    ],
+    gc_linkopts = select({
+        # Mac OS X doesn't support static binaries:
+        # https://developer.apple.com/library/content/qa/qa1118/_index.html
+        "@io_bazel_rules_go//go/platform:darwin_amd64": [],
+        "//conditions:default": [
+            "-linkmode",
+            "external",
+            "-extldflags",
+            "-static",
+        ],
+    }),
     library = ":go_default_library",
     visibility = [
         "//build/visible_to:COMMON_release",