diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/attr/base-record b/tools/perf/tests/attr/base-record
index 37940665f736c7..efd0157b9d223f 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/attr/base-record
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/attr/base-record
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ size=112
 config=0
 sample_period=*
 sample_type=263
-read_format=0
+read_format=0|4
 disabled=1
 inherit=1
 pinned=0
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/evsel.c b/tools/perf/util/evsel.c
index d37bb1566cd9da..dbc0466db36805 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/evsel.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/evsel.c
@@ -1092,7 +1092,7 @@ void perf_evsel__config(struct perf_evsel *evsel, struct record_opts *opts,
 		attr->exclude_user   = 1;
 	}
 
-	if (evsel->own_cpus)
+	if (evsel->own_cpus || evsel->unit)
 		evsel->attr.read_format |= PERF_FORMAT_ID;
 
 	/*