diff --git a/cuda_core/cuda/core/_linker.pyx b/cuda_core/cuda/core/_linker.pyx
index 4dbb9950de..3fd4255ba7 100644
--- a/cuda_core/cuda/core/_linker.pyx
+++ b/cuda_core/cuda/core/_linker.pyx
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Union
 from warnings import warn
 
+from cuda.pathfinder import optional_cuda_import
 from cuda.core._device import Device
 from cuda.core._module import ObjectCode
 from cuda.core._utils.clear_error_support import assert_type
@@ -649,23 +650,20 @@ def _decide_nvjitlink_or_driver() -> bool:
         " For best results, consider upgrading to a recent version of"
     )
 
-    try:
-        __import__("cuda.bindings.nvjitlink")  # availability check
-    except ModuleNotFoundError:
+    nvjitlink_module = optional_cuda_import(
+        "cuda.bindings.nvjitlink",
+        probe_function=lambda module: module.version(),  # probe triggers nvJitLink runtime load
+    )
+    if nvjitlink_module is None:
         warn_txt = f"cuda.bindings.nvjitlink is not available, therefore {warn_txt_common} cuda-bindings."
     else:
         from cuda.bindings._internal import nvjitlink
 
-        try:
-            if _nvjitlink_has_version_symbol(nvjitlink):
-                _use_nvjitlink_backend = True
-                return False  # Use nvjitlink
-        except RuntimeError:
-            warn_detail = "not available"
-        else:
-            warn_detail = "too old (<12.3)"
+        if _nvjitlink_has_version_symbol(nvjitlink):
+            _use_nvjitlink_backend = True
+            return False  # Use nvjitlink
         warn_txt = (
-            f"{'nvJitLink*.dll' if sys.platform == 'win32' else 'libnvJitLink.so*'} is {warn_detail}."
+            f"{'nvJitLink*.dll' if sys.platform == 'win32' else 'libnvJitLink.so*'} is too old (<12.3)."
             f" Therefore cuda.bindings.nvjitlink is not usable and {warn_txt_common} nvJitLink."
         )
 
diff --git a/cuda_core/cuda/core/_program.pyx b/cuda_core/cuda/core/_program.pyx
index 0b1fa93279..5e85a111e7 100644
--- a/cuda_core/cuda/core/_program.pyx
+++ b/cuda_core/cuda/core/_program.pyx
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import threading
 from warnings import warn
 
 from cuda.bindings import driver, nvrtc
+from cuda.pathfinder import optional_cuda_import
 
 from libcpp.vector cimport vector
 
@@ -461,8 +462,8 @@ class ProgramOptions:
 # =============================================================================
 
 # Module-level state for NVVM lazy loading
-cdef object_nvvm_module = None
-cdef bint _nvvm_import_attempted = False
+_nvvm_module = None
+_nvvm_import_attempted = False
 
 
 def _get_nvvm_module():
@@ -484,18 +485,21 @@ def _get_nvvm_module():
                 "Please update cuda-bindings to use NVVM features."
             )
 
-        from cuda.bindings import nvvm
-        from cuda.bindings._internal.nvvm import _inspect_function_pointer
-
-        if _inspect_function_pointer("__nvvmCreateProgram") == 0:
-            raise RuntimeError("NVVM library (libnvvm) is not available in this Python environment. ")
+        nvvm = optional_cuda_import(
+            "cuda.bindings.nvvm",
+            probe_function=lambda module: module.version(),  # probe triggers libnvvm load
+        )
+        if nvvm is None:
+            raise RuntimeError(
+                "NVVM support is unavailable: cuda.bindings.nvvm is missing or libnvvm cannot be loaded."
+            )
 
         _nvvm_module = nvvm
         return _nvvm_module
 
-    except RuntimeError as e:
+    except RuntimeError:
         _nvvm_module = None
-        raise e
+        raise
 
 def _find_libdevice_path():
     """Find libdevice*.bc for NVVM compilation using cuda.pathfinder."""
diff --git a/cuda_core/docs/source/release/0.7.x-notes.rst b/cuda_core/docs/source/release/0.7.x-notes.rst
index 0fb0817581..7df4574a95 100644
--- a/cuda_core/docs/source/release/0.7.x-notes.rst
+++ b/cuda_core/docs/source/release/0.7.x-notes.rst
@@ -40,3 +40,6 @@ Fixes and enhancements
   linking operations to the C level and releasing the GIL during backend calls. This benefits
   workloads that create many programs or linkers, and enables concurrent compilation in
   multithreaded applications.
+- Improved optional dependency handling for NVVM and nvJitLink imports so that only genuinely
+  missing optional modules are treated as unavailable; unrelated import failures now surface
+  normally, and ``cuda.core`` now depends directly on ``cuda-pathfinder``.
diff --git a/cuda_core/pixi.lock b/cuda_core/pixi.lock
index 2536544389..15736cbe8b 100644
--- a/cuda_core/pixi.lock
+++ b/cuda_core/pixi.lock
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-64-12.9.86-ha770c72_2.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-12.9.86-h4bc722e_2.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-12.9.86-h4bc722e_2.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-profiler-api-12.9.79-h7938cbb_1.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-12.9-h4f385c5_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cython-3.2.2-py314h1807b08_0.conda
@@ -214,6 +213,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       linux-aarch64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-2_gnu.tar.bz2
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/alsa-lib-1.2.15.3-he30d5cf_0.conda
@@ -240,7 +240,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-aarch64-12.9.86-h579c4fd_2.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-impl-12.9.86-h7b14b0b_2.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-tools-12.9.86-h7b14b0b_2.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-profiler-api-12.9.79-h16bee8c_1.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-12.9-h4f385c5_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cython-3.2.2-py314h4c416a3_0.conda
@@ -412,6 +411,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314ha479ada_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314ha479ada_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       win-64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-2_gnu.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/aom-3.9.1-he0c23c2_0.conda
@@ -435,7 +435,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_win-64-12.9.86-h57928b3_2.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-12.9.86-h2466b09_2.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-12.9.86-h2466b09_2.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-profiler-api-12.9.79-h57928b3_1.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-12.9-h4f385c5_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cython-3.2.2-py314h344ed54_0.conda
@@ -556,6 +555,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
   cu13:
     channels:
     - url: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/
@@ -588,7 +588,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-64-13.1.115-ha770c72_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h4bc722e_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h4bc722e_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-profiler-api-13.1.80-h7938cbb_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cython-3.2.2-py314h1807b08_0.conda
@@ -770,6 +769,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       linux-aarch64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-2_gnu.tar.bz2
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/alsa-lib-1.2.15.3-he30d5cf_0.conda
@@ -795,7 +795,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-aarch64-13.1.115-h579c4fd_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h7b14b0b_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h7b14b0b_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-profiler-api-13.1.80-h16bee8c_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cython-3.2.2-py314h4c416a3_0.conda
@@ -967,6 +966,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314ha479ada_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314ha479ada_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       win-64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-2_gnu.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/aom-3.9.1-he0c23c2_0.conda
@@ -990,7 +990,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_win-64-13.1.115-h57928b3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h2466b09_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h2466b09_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-profiler-api-13.1.80-h57928b3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cython-3.2.2-py314h344ed54_0.conda
@@ -1111,6 +1110,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
   default:
     channels:
     - url: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/
@@ -1143,7 +1143,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-64-13.1.115-ha770c72_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h4bc722e_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h4bc722e_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-profiler-api-13.1.80-h7938cbb_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cython-3.2.2-py314h1807b08_0.conda
@@ -1325,6 +1324,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       linux-aarch64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-2_gnu.tar.bz2
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/alsa-lib-1.2.15.3-he30d5cf_0.conda
@@ -1350,7 +1350,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-aarch64-13.1.115-h579c4fd_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h7b14b0b_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h7b14b0b_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-profiler-api-13.1.80-h16bee8c_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cython-3.2.2-py314h4c416a3_0.conda
@@ -1522,6 +1521,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314ha479ada_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314ha479ada_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       win-64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-2_gnu.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/aom-3.9.1-he0c23c2_0.conda
@@ -1545,7 +1545,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_win-64-13.1.115-h57928b3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h2466b09_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h2466b09_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-profiler-api-13.1.80-h57928b3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cython-3.2.2-py314h344ed54_0.conda
@@ -1666,6 +1665,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
   examples:
     channels:
     - url: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/
@@ -1699,7 +1699,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-64-13.1.115-ha770c72_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h4bc722e_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h4bc722e_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.4.0-pyhc364b38_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cupy-14.0.1-py314h31ce861_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cupy-core-14.0.1-py314hed3c566_0.conda
@@ -1901,6 +1900,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314h59f3c06_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       linux-aarch64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/_openmp_mutex-4.5-7_kmp_llvm.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/alsa-lib-1.2.15.3-he30d5cf_0.conda
@@ -1929,7 +1929,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_linux-aarch64-13.1.115-h579c4fd_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h7b14b0b_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h7b14b0b_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.4.0-pyhc364b38_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cupy-14.0.1-py314h8e5308c_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-aarch64/cupy-core-14.0.1-py314h1d6db3a_0.conda
@@ -2124,6 +2123,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314ha479ada_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314ha479ada_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
       win-64:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/aom-3.9.1-he0c23c2_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/bzip2-1.0.8-h0ad9c76_9.conda
@@ -2135,7 +2135,6 @@ environments:
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-nvvm-dev_win-64-13.1.115-h57928b3_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-impl-13.1.115-h2466b09_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/cuda-nvvm-tools-13.1.115-h2466b09_0.conda
-      - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.4.0-pyhc364b38_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-version-13.1-h2ff5cdb_3.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/dav1d-1.2.1-hcfcfb64_0.conda
       - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/win-64/ffmpeg-8.0.1-gpl_hb2d76f6_912.conda
@@ -2223,6 +2222,7 @@ environments:
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
       - conda: ../cuda_bindings
         build: py314hae7e39d_0
+      - conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
 packages:
 - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/_libgcc_mutex-0.1-conda_forge.tar.bz2
   sha256: fe51de6107f9edc7aa4f786a70f4a883943bc9d39b3bb7307c04c41410990726
@@ -2823,6 +2823,7 @@ packages:
   - python
   - numpy
   - cuda-bindings
+  - cuda-pathfinder
   - libgcc >=15
   - libgcc >=15
   - libstdcxx >=15
@@ -2833,6 +2834,8 @@ packages:
   sources:
     cuda-bindings:
       path: ../cuda_bindings
+    cuda-pathfinder:
+      path: ../cuda_pathfinder
 - conda: .
   name: cuda-core
   version: 0.5.0
@@ -2845,6 +2848,7 @@ packages:
   - python
   - numpy
   - cuda-bindings
+  - cuda-pathfinder
   - libgcc >=15
   - libgcc >=15
   - libstdcxx >=15
@@ -2855,6 +2859,8 @@ packages:
   sources:
     cuda-bindings:
       path: ../cuda_bindings
+    cuda-pathfinder:
+      path: ../cuda_pathfinder
 - conda: .
   name: cuda-core
   version: 0.5.0
@@ -2869,6 +2875,7 @@ packages:
   - python
   - numpy
   - cuda-bindings
+  - cuda-pathfinder
   - vc >=14.3,<15
   - vc14_runtime >=14.44.35208
   - ucrt >=10.0.20348.0
@@ -2878,6 +2885,8 @@ packages:
   sources:
     cuda-bindings:
       path: ../cuda_bindings
+    cuda-pathfinder:
+      path: ../cuda_pathfinder
 - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-crt-dev_linux-64-12.9.86-ha770c72_2.conda
   sha256: e6257534c4b4b6b8a1192f84191c34906ab9968c92680fa09f639e7846a87304
   md5: 79d280de61e18010df5997daea4743df
@@ -3879,27 +3888,17 @@ packages:
   license: LicenseRef-NVIDIA-End-User-License-Agreement
   size: 41660022
   timestamp: 1768280258661
-- conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.3.3-pyhcf101f3_0.conda
-  sha256: 6f78993b194403725d4602355a8f1fc57f333eff9c3245a66f33e70c75d67163
-  md5: b08fa4a3478526e33a4c08224398d2e5
-  depends:
-  - python >=3.10
-  - cuda-version >=12.0,<14
-  - python
-  license: Apache-2.0
-  size: 30869
-  timestamp: 1764891530469
-- conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/noarch/cuda-pathfinder-1.4.0-pyhc364b38_0.conda
-  sha256: edf16fdfbcce5bbb445118fd8d070dda8afe36b4b437a94f472fde153bc38151
-  md5: 2d13e524da66b60e6e7d5c6585729ea8
+- conda: ../cuda_pathfinder
+  name: cuda-pathfinder
+  version: 1.3.4a0
+  build: pyh4616a5c_0
+  subdir: noarch
+  variants:
+    target_platform: noarch
   depends:
   - python >=3.10
-  - cuda-version >=12.0,<14
-  - python
+  - python *
   license: Apache-2.0
-  license_family: APACHE
-  size: 39327
-  timestamp: 1772059437166
 - conda: https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge/linux-64/cuda-profiler-api-12.9.79-h7938cbb_1.conda
   sha256: 4f679dfbf2bf2d17abb507f31b0176c0e3572337b5005b9e36179948a53988ac
   md5: 90d09865fb37d11d510444e34ebe6a09
diff --git a/cuda_core/pixi.toml b/cuda_core/pixi.toml
index cd5b0d6de5..9dc6ac1ed9 100644
--- a/cuda_core/pixi.toml
+++ b/cuda_core/pixi.toml
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ numpy = "*"
 # Using path dependency now that we've added .pth support for Cython .pxd files
 # See build_hooks.py:_add_cython_include_paths_to_pth()
 cuda-bindings = { path = "../cuda_bindings" }
+cuda-pathfinder = { path = "../cuda_pathfinder" }
 
 [target.linux.tasks.build-cython-tests]
 cmd = ["$PIXI_PROJECT_ROOT/tests/cython/build_tests.sh"]
diff --git a/cuda_core/pyproject.toml b/cuda_core/pyproject.toml
index a2828a9274..9b3e5a37c5 100644
--- a/cuda_core/pyproject.toml
+++ b/cuda_core/pyproject.toml
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ classifiers = [
     "Environment :: GPU :: NVIDIA CUDA :: 13",
 ]
 dependencies = [
+    "cuda-pathfinder >=1.4.2",
     "numpy",
 ]
 
diff --git a/cuda_core/tests/test_optional_dependency_imports.py b/cuda_core/tests/test_optional_dependency_imports.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..25789f7f59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cuda_core/tests/test_optional_dependency_imports.py
@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-NVIDIA-SOFTWARE-LICENSE
+
+import types
+
+import pytest
+
+from cuda.core import _linker, _program
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def restore_optional_import_state():
+    saved_nvvm_module = _program._nvvm_module
+    saved_nvvm_attempted = _program._nvvm_import_attempted
+    saved_driver = _linker._driver
+    saved_driver_ver = _linker._driver_ver
+    saved_inited = _linker._inited
+    saved_use_nvjitlink = _linker._use_nvjitlink_backend
+
+    _program._nvvm_module = None
+    _program._nvvm_import_attempted = False
+    _linker._driver = None
+    _linker._driver_ver = None
+    _linker._inited = False
+    _linker._use_nvjitlink_backend = False
+
+    yield
+
+    _program._nvvm_module = saved_nvvm_module
+    _program._nvvm_import_attempted = saved_nvvm_attempted
+    _linker._driver = saved_driver
+    _linker._driver_ver = saved_driver_ver
+    _linker._inited = saved_inited
+    _linker._use_nvjitlink_backend = saved_use_nvjitlink
+
+
+def _patch_driver_version(monkeypatch, version=13000):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        _linker,
+        "driver",
+        types.SimpleNamespace(cuDriverGetVersion=lambda: version),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_linker, "handle_return", lambda value: value)
+
+
+def test_get_nvvm_module_reraises_nested_module_not_found(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_program, "get_binding_version", lambda: (12, 9))
+
+    def fake_optional_cuda_import(modname, probe_function=None):
+        assert modname == "cuda.bindings.nvvm"
+        assert probe_function is not None
+        err = ModuleNotFoundError("No module named 'not_a_real_dependency'")
+        err.name = "not_a_real_dependency"
+        raise err
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_program, "optional_cuda_import", fake_optional_cuda_import)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ModuleNotFoundError, match="not_a_real_dependency") as excinfo:
+        _program._get_nvvm_module()
+    assert excinfo.value.name == "not_a_real_dependency"
+
+
+def test_get_nvvm_module_reports_missing_nvvm_module(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_program, "get_binding_version", lambda: (12, 9))
+
+    def fake_optional_cuda_import(modname, probe_function=None):
+        assert modname == "cuda.bindings.nvvm"
+        assert probe_function is not None
+        return None
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_program, "optional_cuda_import", fake_optional_cuda_import)
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="cuda.bindings.nvvm"):
+        _program._get_nvvm_module()
+
+
+def test_get_nvvm_module_handles_missing_libnvvm(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_program, "get_binding_version", lambda: (12, 9))
+
+    def fake_optional_cuda_import(modname, probe_function=None):
+        assert modname == "cuda.bindings.nvvm"
+        assert probe_function is not None
+        return None
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_program, "optional_cuda_import", fake_optional_cuda_import)
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="libnvvm"):
+        _program._get_nvvm_module()
+
+
+def test_decide_nvjitlink_or_driver_reraises_nested_module_not_found(monkeypatch):
+    _patch_driver_version(monkeypatch)
+
+    def fake_optional_cuda_import(modname, probe_function=None):
+        assert modname == "cuda.bindings.nvjitlink"
+        assert probe_function is not None
+        err = ModuleNotFoundError("No module named 'not_a_real_dependency'")
+        err.name = "not_a_real_dependency"
+        raise err
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_linker, "optional_cuda_import", fake_optional_cuda_import)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ModuleNotFoundError, match="not_a_real_dependency") as excinfo:
+        _linker._decide_nvjitlink_or_driver()
+    assert excinfo.value.name == "not_a_real_dependency"
+
+
+def test_decide_nvjitlink_or_driver_falls_back_when_module_missing(monkeypatch):
+    _patch_driver_version(monkeypatch)
+
+    def fake_optional_cuda_import(modname, probe_function=None):
+        assert modname == "cuda.bindings.nvjitlink"
+        assert probe_function is not None
+        return None
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(_linker, "optional_cuda_import", fake_optional_cuda_import)
+
+    with pytest.warns(RuntimeWarning, match="cuda.bindings.nvjitlink is not available"):
+        use_driver_backend = _linker._decide_nvjitlink_or_driver()
+
+    assert use_driver_backend is True
+    assert _linker._use_nvjitlink_backend is False
diff --git a/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/__init__.py b/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/__init__.py
index 57702de425..16711385b7 100644
--- a/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/__init__.py
+++ b/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/__init__.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
     locate_nvidia_header_directory as locate_nvidia_header_directory,
 )
 from cuda.pathfinder._headers.supported_nvidia_headers import SUPPORTED_HEADERS_CTK as _SUPPORTED_HEADERS_CTK
+from cuda.pathfinder._optional_cuda_import import optional_cuda_import as optional_cuda_import
 from cuda.pathfinder._static_libs.find_bitcode_lib import (
     SUPPORTED_BITCODE_LIBS as _SUPPORTED_BITCODE_LIBS,
 )
diff --git a/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_optional_cuda_import.py b/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_optional_cuda_import.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3ac977cf35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cuda_pathfinder/cuda/pathfinder/_optional_cuda_import.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import importlib
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from types import ModuleType
+
+from cuda.pathfinder._dynamic_libs.load_dl_common import DynamicLibNotFoundError
+
+
+def optional_cuda_import(
+    fully_qualified_modname: str,
+    *,
+    probe_function: Callable[[ModuleType], object] | None = None,
+) -> ModuleType | None:
+    """Import an optional CUDA module without masking unrelated import bugs.
+
+    Returns:
+        The imported module if available and the optional probe succeeds,
+        otherwise ``None`` when the requested module is unavailable.
+
+    Raises:
+        ModuleNotFoundError: If the import fails because a dependency of the
+            target module is missing (instead of the target module itself).
+        Exception: Any exception raised by ``probe_function`` except
+            :class:`DynamicLibNotFoundError`, which is treated as "unavailable".
+    """
+    try:
+        module = importlib.import_module(fully_qualified_modname)
+    except ModuleNotFoundError as err:
+        if err.name != fully_qualified_modname:
+            raise
+        return None
+
+    if probe_function is not None:
+        try:
+            probe_function(module)
+        except DynamicLibNotFoundError:
+            return None
+
+    return module
diff --git a/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/api.rst b/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/api.rst
index 52a4ff5010..63f4273a0a 100644
--- a/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/api.rst
+++ b/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/api.rst
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ locating NVIDIA C/C++ header directories, and finding CUDA binary utilities.
 
    SUPPORTED_NVIDIA_LIBNAMES
    load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+   optional_cuda_import
    LoadedDL
    DynamicLibNotFoundError
    DynamicLibUnknownError
diff --git a/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/release/1.4.2-notes.rst b/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/release/1.4.2-notes.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f81ff2804f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cuda_pathfinder/docs/source/release/1.4.2-notes.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+.. SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+.. SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+.. py:currentmodule:: cuda.pathfinder
+
+``cuda-pathfinder`` 1.4.2 Release notes
+=======================================
+
+Highlights
+----------
+
+* Add ``optional_cuda_import()`` to support robust optional imports of CUDA
+  Python modules. It returns ``None`` when the requested module is absent or a
+  probe hits ``DynamicLibNotFoundError``, while still re-raising unrelated
+  ``ModuleNotFoundError`` exceptions (for missing transitive dependencies).
diff --git a/cuda_pathfinder/tests/test_optional_cuda_import.py b/cuda_pathfinder/tests/test_optional_cuda_import.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..34cc2a158a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cuda_pathfinder/tests/test_optional_cuda_import.py
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+import types
+
+import pytest
+
+import cuda.pathfinder._optional_cuda_import as optional_import_mod
+from cuda.pathfinder import DynamicLibNotFoundError, optional_cuda_import
+
+
+def test_optional_cuda_import_returns_module_when_available(monkeypatch):
+    fake_module = types.SimpleNamespace(__name__="cuda.bindings.nvvm")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(optional_import_mod.importlib, "import_module", lambda _name: fake_module)
+
+    result = optional_cuda_import("cuda.bindings.nvvm")
+
+    assert result is fake_module
+
+
+def test_optional_cuda_import_returns_none_when_module_missing(monkeypatch):
+    def fake_import_module(name):
+        err = ModuleNotFoundError("No module named 'cuda.bindings.nvvm'")
+        err.name = name
+        raise err
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(optional_import_mod.importlib, "import_module", fake_import_module)
+
+    result = optional_cuda_import("cuda.bindings.nvvm")
+
+    assert result is None
+
+
+def test_optional_cuda_import_reraises_nested_module_not_found(monkeypatch):
+    def fake_import_module(_name):
+        err = ModuleNotFoundError("No module named 'not_a_real_dependency'")
+        err.name = "not_a_real_dependency"
+        raise err
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(optional_import_mod.importlib, "import_module", fake_import_module)
+
+    with pytest.raises(ModuleNotFoundError, match="not_a_real_dependency") as excinfo:
+        optional_cuda_import("cuda.bindings.nvvm")
+    assert excinfo.value.name == "not_a_real_dependency"
+
+
+def test_optional_cuda_import_returns_none_when_probe_finds_missing_dynamic_lib(monkeypatch):
+    fake_module = types.SimpleNamespace(__name__="cuda.bindings.nvvm")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(optional_import_mod.importlib, "import_module", lambda _name: fake_module)
+
+    def probe(_module):
+        raise DynamicLibNotFoundError("libnvvm missing")
+
+    result = optional_cuda_import("cuda.bindings.nvvm", probe_function=probe)
+
+    assert result is None
+
+
+def test_optional_cuda_import_reraises_non_pathfinder_probe_error(monkeypatch):
+    fake_module = types.SimpleNamespace(__name__="cuda.bindings.nvvm")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(optional_import_mod.importlib, "import_module", lambda _name: fake_module)
+
+    def probe(_module):
+        raise RuntimeError("unexpected probe failure")
+
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError, match="unexpected probe failure"):
+        optional_cuda_import("cuda.bindings.nvvm", probe_function=probe)