diff --git a/src/applications/files/query/PhabricatorFileQuery.php b/src/applications/files/query/PhabricatorFileQuery.php
--- a/src/applications/files/query/PhabricatorFileQuery.php
+++ b/src/applications/files/query/PhabricatorFileQuery.php
@@ -142,6 +142,14 @@
     foreach ($files as $file) {
       $phids = array_keys($edges[$file->getPHID()][$edge_type]);
       $file->attachObjectPHIDs($phids);
+
+      if ($file->getIsProfileImage()) {
+        // If this is a profile image, don't bother loading related files.
+        // It will always be visible, and we can get into trouble if we try
+        // to load objects and end up stuck in a cycle. See T8478.
+        continue;
+      }
+
       foreach ($phids as $phid) {
         $object_phids[$phid] = true;
       }