Deterministically resolving cycles in a library tree is disclosed. Resolving cycles supports certain processes such as safe library initialization. Cycles in the library tree are identified; at least one soft link in each identified cycle is identified; and the at least one soft link in each identified cycle is broken. If a cycle has no soft links, notification is provided indicating that the cycle cannot be broken. Identifying at least one soft link in each identified cycle comprises, for each link in the cycle, determining the dependent and supporting libraries; and determining if one or more functions in the supporting library are required for initializing the dependent library.