diff --git a/cuda_core/cuda/core/experimental/_linker.py b/cuda_core/cuda/core/experimental/_linker.py
index 6e36a2a5..6bad7d49 100644
--- a/cuda_core/cuda/core/experimental/_linker.py
+++ b/cuda_core/cuda/core/experimental/_linker.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ def _decide_nvjitlink_or_driver():
     _driver_ver = handle_return(cuda.cuDriverGetVersion())
     _driver_ver = (_driver_ver // 1000, (_driver_ver % 1000) // 10)
     try:
+        raise ImportError
         from cuda.bindings import nvjitlink as _nvjitlink
         from cuda.bindings._internal import nvjitlink as inner_nvjitlink
     except ImportError:
diff --git a/cuda_core/tests/test_linker.py b/cuda_core/tests/test_linker.py
index 54cd8cf4..e3120137 100644
--- a/cuda_core/tests/test_linker.py
+++ b/cuda_core/tests/test_linker.py
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-NVIDIA-SOFTWARE-LICENSE
 
+from contextlib import contextmanager, nullcontext
+
 import pytest
 
 from cuda.core.experimental import Linker, LinkerOptions, Program, _linker
@@ -18,6 +20,23 @@
 device_function_c = "__device__ int C(int a, int b) { return a + b; }"
 
 culink_backend = _linker._decide_nvjitlink_or_driver()
+skip_options = nullcontext
+if not culink_backend:
+    from cuda.bindings import nvjitlink
+
+    @contextmanager
+    def skip_version_specific_linker_options():
+        if culink_backend:
+            return
+        try:
+            yield
+        except nvjitlink.nvJitLinkError as e:
+            if e.status == nvjitlink.Result.ERROR_UNRECOGNIZED_OPTION:
+                pytest.skip("current nvjitlink version does not support the option provided")
+            else:
+                raise
+
+    skip_options = skip_version_specific_linker_options
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="function")
@@ -72,9 +91,11 @@ def compile_ltoir_functions(init_cuda):
     ],
 )
 def test_linker_init(compile_ptx_functions, options):
-    linker = Linker(*compile_ptx_functions, options=options)
-    object_code = linker.link("cubin")
-    assert isinstance(object_code, ObjectCode)
+    with skip_options():
+        linker = Linker(*compile_ptx_functions, options=options)
+
+        object_code = linker.link("cubin")
+        assert isinstance(object_code, ObjectCode)
 
 
 def test_linker_init_invalid_arch():