diff --git a/modules/file/file.module b/modules/file/file.module
index fbf8b81..9ef0d6c 100644
--- a/modules/file/file.module
+++ b/modules/file/file.module
@@ -768,12 +768,10 @@ function theme_file_link($variables) {
     'application/octet-stream' => t('Binary Data'),
   );
 
-  $mimetype = file_get_mimetype($file->uri);
-
   $icon = theme('file_icon', array(
     'file' => $file,
     'icon_directory' => $icon_directory,
-    'alt' => !empty($mime_name[$mimetype]) ? $mime_name[$mimetype] : t('File'),
+    'alt' => !empty($mime_name[$file->filemime]) ? $mime_name[$file->filemime] : t('File'),
   ));
 
   // Set options as per anchor format described at