diff --git a/tests/frame/unpivot_test.py b/tests/frame/unpivot_test.py
index cccf38035..64d003bbf 100644
--- a/tests/frame/unpivot_test.py
+++ b/tests/frame/unpivot_test.py
@@ -51,7 +51,11 @@ def test_unpivot_var_value_names(
     constructor: Constructor,
     variable_name: str | None,
     value_name: str | None,
+    request: pytest.FixtureRequest,
 ) -> None:
+    if variable_name == "" and "cudf" in str(constructor):
+        request.applymarker(pytest.mark.xfail)
+
     df = nw.from_native(constructor(data))
     result = df.unpivot(
         on=["b", "c"], index=["a"], variable_name=variable_name, value_name=value_name