diff --git a/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_headers/find_nvidia_headers.py b/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_headers/find_nvidia_headers.py
index 637ecabfcb..41de94e997 100644
--- a/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_headers/find_nvidia_headers.py
+++ b/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_headers/find_nvidia_headers.py
@@ -107,6 +107,14 @@ def _find_ctk_header_directory(libname: str) -> LocatedHeaderDir | None:
         if result := _locate_based_on_ctk_layout(libname, h_basename, cuda_home):
             return LocatedHeaderDir(abs_path=result, found_via="CUDA_HOME")
 
+    # Fallback: typical system install path (matches CuPy's get_cuda_path())
+    if (
+        not IS_WINDOWS
+        and os.path.exists("/usr/local/cuda")
+        and (result := _locate_based_on_ctk_layout(libname, h_basename, "/usr/local/cuda"))
+    ):
+        return LocatedHeaderDir(abs_path=result, found_via="system_default")
+
     return None