diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/cufile_linux.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/cufile_linux.pyx
index e333c50813..ddb88279bf 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/cufile_linux.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/cufile_linux.pyx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import threading
 
 from .utils import FunctionNotFoundError, NotSupportedError
 
-from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib, DynamicLibNotFoundError
 
 import cython
 
@@ -104,7 +104,11 @@ cdef void* __cuFileGetParameterPosixPoolSlabArray = NULL
 
 
 cdef void* load_library() except* with gil:
-    cdef uintptr_t handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("cufile")._handle_uint
+    cdef uintptr_t handle
+    try:
+        handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("cufile")._handle_uint
+    except DynamicLibNotFoundError:
+        handle = 0
     return <void*>handle
 
 
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_linux.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_linux.pyx
index b28fa9492f..9f6096c9d4 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_linux.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_linux.pyx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from libc.stdint cimport intptr_t, uintptr_t
 import threading
 from .utils import FunctionNotFoundError, NotSupportedError
 
-from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib, DynamicLibNotFoundError
 
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -73,7 +73,11 @@ cdef void* __nvJitLinkVersion = NULL
 
 
 cdef void* load_library() except* with gil:
-    cdef uintptr_t handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvJitLink")._handle_uint
+    cdef uintptr_t handle
+    try:
+        handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvJitLink")._handle_uint
+    except DynamicLibNotFoundError:
+        handle = 0
     return <void*>handle
 
 
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_windows.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_windows.pyx
index 6c53ca74c2..db7ab9df2e 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_windows.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvjitlink_windows.pyx
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@
 #
 # This code was automatically generated across versions from 12.0.1 to 13.0.1. Do not modify it directly.
 
-from libc.stdint cimport intptr_t
+from libc.stdint cimport intptr_t, uintptr_t
 
 import threading
 from .utils import FunctionNotFoundError, NotSupportedError
 
-from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib, DynamicLibNotFoundError
 
 from libc.stddef cimport wchar_t
 from libc.stdint cimport uintptr_t
@@ -95,12 +95,14 @@ cdef void* __nvJitLinkVersion = NULL
 
 cdef int __check_or_init_nvjitlink() except -1 nogil:
     global __py_nvjitlink_init
-    if __py_nvjitlink_init:
-        return 0
+    cdef uintptr_t handle
 
     with gil, __symbol_lock:
         # Load library
-        handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvJitLink")._handle_uint
+        try:
+            handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvJitLink")._handle_uint
+        except DynamicLibNotFoundError:
+            handle = 0
 
         # Load function
         global __nvJitLinkCreate
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_linux.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_linux.pyx
index b9febe6abe..e26440205f 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_linux.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_linux.pyx
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from libc.stdint cimport intptr_t, uintptr_t
 import threading
 from .utils import FunctionNotFoundError, NotSupportedError
 
-from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib, DynamicLibNotFoundError
 
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -72,7 +72,11 @@ cdef void* __nvvmGetProgramLog = NULL
 
 
 cdef void* load_library() except* with gil:
-    cdef uintptr_t handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvvm")._handle_uint
+    cdef uintptr_t handle
+    try:
+        handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvvm")._handle_uint
+    except DynamicLibNotFoundError:
+        handle = 0
     return <void*>handle
 
 
@@ -178,7 +182,7 @@ cdef int __check_or_init_nvvm() except -1 nogil:
         return 0
 
 
-cdef inline int _check_or_init_nvvm() except -1 nogil:
+cdef int _check_or_init_nvvm() except -1 nogil:
     if __py_nvvm_init:
         return 0
 
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_windows.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_windows.pyx
index 183276c3c3..1576f64d35 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_windows.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/_internal/nvvm_windows.pyx
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@
 #
 # This code was automatically generated across versions from 12.0.1 to 13.0.1. Do not modify it directly.
 
-from libc.stdint cimport intptr_t
+from libc.stdint cimport intptr_t, uintptr_t
 
 import threading
 from .utils import FunctionNotFoundError, NotSupportedError
 
-from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+from cuda.pathfinder import load_nvidia_dynamic_lib, DynamicLibNotFoundError
 
 from libc.stddef cimport wchar_t
 from libc.stdint cimport uintptr_t
@@ -95,9 +95,14 @@ cdef void* __nvvmGetProgramLog = NULL
 cdef int __check_or_init_nvvm() except -1 nogil:
     global __py_nvvm_init
 
+    cdef uintptr_t handle
+
     with gil, __symbol_lock:
         # Load library
-        handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvvm")._handle_uint
+        try:
+            handle = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib("nvvm")._handle_uint
+        except DynamicLibNotFoundError:
+            handle = 0
 
         # Load function
         global __nvvmGetErrorString
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/cufile.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/cufile.pyx
index 66b3aca2de..822432c135 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/cufile.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/cufile.pyx
@@ -1022,8 +1022,8 @@ cpdef intptr_t handle_register(intptr_t descr) except? 0:
     """
     cdef Handle fh
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileHandleRegister(&fh, <CUfileDescr_t*>descr)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileHandleRegister(&fh, <CUfileDescr_t*>descr)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return <intptr_t>fh
 
 
@@ -1049,8 +1049,8 @@ cpdef buf_register(intptr_t buf_ptr_base, size_t length, int flags):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileBufRegister`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileBufRegister(<const void*>buf_ptr_base, length, flags)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileBufRegister(<const void*>buf_ptr_base, length, flags)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef buf_deregister(intptr_t buf_ptr_base):
@@ -1062,8 +1062,8 @@ cpdef buf_deregister(intptr_t buf_ptr_base):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileBufDeregister`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileBufDeregister(<const void*>buf_ptr_base)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileBufDeregister(<const void*>buf_ptr_base)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef read(intptr_t fh, intptr_t buf_ptr_base, size_t size, off_t file_offset, off_t buf_ptr_offset):
@@ -1079,8 +1079,8 @@ cpdef read(intptr_t fh, intptr_t buf_ptr_base, size_t size, off_t file_offset, o
     .. seealso:: `cuFileRead`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileRead(<Handle>fh, <void*>buf_ptr_base, size, file_offset, buf_ptr_offset)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileRead(<Handle>fh, <void*>buf_ptr_base, size, file_offset, buf_ptr_offset)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef write(intptr_t fh, intptr_t buf_ptr_base, size_t size, off_t file_offset, off_t buf_ptr_offset):
@@ -1096,8 +1096,8 @@ cpdef write(intptr_t fh, intptr_t buf_ptr_base, size_t size, off_t file_offset,
     .. seealso:: `cuFileWrite`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileWrite(<Handle>fh, <const void*>buf_ptr_base, size, file_offset, buf_ptr_offset)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileWrite(<Handle>fh, <const void*>buf_ptr_base, size, file_offset, buf_ptr_offset)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef driver_open():
@@ -1106,8 +1106,8 @@ cpdef driver_open():
     .. seealso:: `cuFileDriverOpen`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileDriverOpen()
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileDriverOpen()
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef use_count():
@@ -1116,8 +1116,8 @@ cpdef use_count():
     .. seealso:: `cuFileUseCount`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileUseCount()
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileUseCount()
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef driver_get_properties(intptr_t props):
@@ -1129,8 +1129,8 @@ cpdef driver_get_properties(intptr_t props):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileDriverGetProperties`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileDriverGetProperties(<CUfileDrvProps_t*>props)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileDriverGetProperties(<CUfileDrvProps_t*>props)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef driver_set_poll_mode(bint poll, size_t poll_threshold_size):
@@ -1143,8 +1143,8 @@ cpdef driver_set_poll_mode(bint poll, size_t poll_threshold_size):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileDriverSetPollMode`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileDriverSetPollMode(<cpp_bool>poll, poll_threshold_size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileDriverSetPollMode(<cpp_bool>poll, poll_threshold_size)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef driver_set_max_direct_io_size(size_t max_direct_io_size):
@@ -1156,8 +1156,8 @@ cpdef driver_set_max_direct_io_size(size_t max_direct_io_size):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileDriverSetMaxDirectIOSize`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileDriverSetMaxDirectIOSize(max_direct_io_size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileDriverSetMaxDirectIOSize(max_direct_io_size)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef driver_set_max_cache_size(size_t max_cache_size):
@@ -1169,8 +1169,8 @@ cpdef driver_set_max_cache_size(size_t max_cache_size):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileDriverSetMaxCacheSize`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileDriverSetMaxCacheSize(max_cache_size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileDriverSetMaxCacheSize(max_cache_size)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef driver_set_max_pinned_mem_size(size_t max_pinned_size):
@@ -1182,34 +1182,34 @@ cpdef driver_set_max_pinned_mem_size(size_t max_pinned_size):
     .. seealso:: `cuFileDriverSetMaxPinnedMemSize`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileDriverSetMaxPinnedMemSize(max_pinned_size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileDriverSetMaxPinnedMemSize(max_pinned_size)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef intptr_t batch_io_set_up(unsigned nr) except? 0:
     cdef BatchHandle batch_idp
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileBatchIOSetUp(&batch_idp, nr)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileBatchIOSetUp(&batch_idp, nr)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return <intptr_t>batch_idp
 
 
 cpdef batch_io_submit(intptr_t batch_idp, unsigned nr, intptr_t iocbp, unsigned int flags):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileBatchIOSubmit(<BatchHandle>batch_idp, nr, <CUfileIOParams_t*>iocbp, flags)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileBatchIOSubmit(<BatchHandle>batch_idp, nr, <CUfileIOParams_t*>iocbp, flags)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef batch_io_get_status(intptr_t batch_idp, unsigned min_nr, intptr_t nr, intptr_t iocbp, intptr_t timeout):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileBatchIOGetStatus(<BatchHandle>batch_idp, min_nr, <unsigned*>nr, <CUfileIOEvents_t*>iocbp, <timespec*>timeout)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileBatchIOGetStatus(<BatchHandle>batch_idp, min_nr, <unsigned*>nr, <CUfileIOEvents_t*>iocbp, <timespec*>timeout)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef batch_io_cancel(intptr_t batch_idp):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileBatchIOCancel(<BatchHandle>batch_idp)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileBatchIOCancel(<BatchHandle>batch_idp)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef void batch_io_destroy(intptr_t batch_idp) except*:
@@ -1218,49 +1218,49 @@ cpdef void batch_io_destroy(intptr_t batch_idp) except*:
 
 cpdef read_async(intptr_t fh, intptr_t buf_ptr_base, intptr_t size_p, intptr_t file_offset_p, intptr_t buf_ptr_offset_p, intptr_t bytes_read_p, intptr_t stream):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileReadAsync(<Handle>fh, <void*>buf_ptr_base, <size_t*>size_p, <off_t*>file_offset_p, <off_t*>buf_ptr_offset_p, <ssize_t*>bytes_read_p, <void*>stream)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileReadAsync(<Handle>fh, <void*>buf_ptr_base, <size_t*>size_p, <off_t*>file_offset_p, <off_t*>buf_ptr_offset_p, <ssize_t*>bytes_read_p, <void*>stream)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef write_async(intptr_t fh, intptr_t buf_ptr_base, intptr_t size_p, intptr_t file_offset_p, intptr_t buf_ptr_offset_p, intptr_t bytes_written_p, intptr_t stream):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileWriteAsync(<Handle>fh, <void*>buf_ptr_base, <size_t*>size_p, <off_t*>file_offset_p, <off_t*>buf_ptr_offset_p, <ssize_t*>bytes_written_p, <void*>stream)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileWriteAsync(<Handle>fh, <void*>buf_ptr_base, <size_t*>size_p, <off_t*>file_offset_p, <off_t*>buf_ptr_offset_p, <ssize_t*>bytes_written_p, <void*>stream)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef stream_register(intptr_t stream, unsigned flags):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileStreamRegister(<void*>stream, flags)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileStreamRegister(<void*>stream, flags)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef stream_deregister(intptr_t stream):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileStreamDeregister(<void*>stream)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileStreamDeregister(<void*>stream)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef int get_version() except? 0:
     cdef int version
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileGetVersion(&version)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileGetVersion(&version)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return version
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_parameter_size_t(int param) except? 0:
     cdef size_t value
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileGetParameterSizeT(<_SizeTConfigParameter>param, &value)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileGetParameterSizeT(<_SizeTConfigParameter>param, &value)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return value
 
 
 cpdef bint get_parameter_bool(int param) except? 0:
     cdef cpp_bool value
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileGetParameterBool(<_BoolConfigParameter>param, &value)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileGetParameterBool(<_BoolConfigParameter>param, &value)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return <bint>value
 
 
@@ -1268,27 +1268,27 @@ cpdef str get_parameter_string(int param, int len):
     cdef bytes _desc_str_ = bytes(len)
     cdef char* desc_str = _desc_str_
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileGetParameterString(<_StringConfigParameter>param, desc_str, len)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileGetParameterString(<_StringConfigParameter>param, desc_str, len)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return _desc_str_.decode()
 
 
 cpdef set_parameter_size_t(int param, size_t value):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileSetParameterSizeT(<_SizeTConfigParameter>param, value)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileSetParameterSizeT(<_SizeTConfigParameter>param, value)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef set_parameter_bool(int param, bint value):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileSetParameterBool(<_BoolConfigParameter>param, <cpp_bool>value)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileSetParameterBool(<_BoolConfigParameter>param, <cpp_bool>value)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef set_parameter_string(int param, intptr_t desc_str):
     with nogil:
-        status = cuFileSetParameterString(<_StringConfigParameter>param, <const char*>desc_str)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = cuFileSetParameterString(<_StringConfigParameter>param, <const char*>desc_str)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef str op_status_error(int status):
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvjitlink.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvjitlink.pyx
index 0cd2ace8d2..64a9509f39 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvjitlink.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvjitlink.pyx
@@ -116,8 +116,8 @@ cpdef intptr_t create(uint32_t num_options, options) except -1:
     get_nested_resource_ptr[char](_options_, options, <char*>NULL)
     cdef Handle handle
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkCreate(&handle, num_options, <const char**>(_options_.ptrs.data()))
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkCreate(&handle, num_options, <const char**>(_options_.ptrs.data()))
+    check_status(__status__)
     return <intptr_t>handle
 
 
@@ -139,8 +139,8 @@ cpdef add_data(intptr_t handle, int input_type, data, size_t size, name):
     cdef bytes _temp_name_ = (<str>name).encode()
     cdef char* _name_ = _temp_name_
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkAddData(<Handle>handle, <_InputType>input_type, <const void*>_data_, size, <const char*>_name_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkAddData(<Handle>handle, <_InputType>input_type, <const void*>_data_, size, <const char*>_name_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef add_file(intptr_t handle, int input_type, file_name):
@@ -158,8 +158,8 @@ cpdef add_file(intptr_t handle, int input_type, file_name):
     cdef bytes _temp_file_name_ = (<str>file_name).encode()
     cdef char* _file_name_ = _temp_file_name_
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkAddFile(<Handle>handle, <_InputType>input_type, <const char*>_file_name_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkAddFile(<Handle>handle, <_InputType>input_type, <const char*>_file_name_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef complete(intptr_t handle):
@@ -171,8 +171,8 @@ cpdef complete(intptr_t handle):
     .. seealso:: `nvJitLinkComplete`
     """
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkComplete(<Handle>handle)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkComplete(<Handle>handle)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_linked_cubin_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
@@ -188,8 +188,8 @@ cpdef size_t get_linked_cubin_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
     """
     cdef size_t size
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetLinkedCubinSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetLinkedCubinSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return size
 
 
@@ -204,8 +204,8 @@ cpdef get_linked_cubin(intptr_t handle, cubin):
     """
     cdef void* _cubin_ = get_buffer_pointer(cubin, -1, readonly=False)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetLinkedCubin(<Handle>handle, <void*>_cubin_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetLinkedCubin(<Handle>handle, <void*>_cubin_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_linked_ptx_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@ cpdef size_t get_linked_ptx_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
     """
     cdef size_t size
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetLinkedPtxSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetLinkedPtxSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return size
 
 
@@ -237,8 +237,8 @@ cpdef get_linked_ptx(intptr_t handle, ptx):
     """
     cdef void* _ptx_ = get_buffer_pointer(ptx, -1, readonly=False)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetLinkedPtx(<Handle>handle, <char*>_ptx_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetLinkedPtx(<Handle>handle, <char*>_ptx_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_error_log_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
@@ -254,8 +254,8 @@ cpdef size_t get_error_log_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
     """
     cdef size_t size
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetErrorLogSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetErrorLogSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return size
 
 
@@ -270,8 +270,8 @@ cpdef get_error_log(intptr_t handle, log):
     """
     cdef void* _log_ = get_buffer_pointer(log, -1, readonly=False)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetErrorLog(<Handle>handle, <char*>_log_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetErrorLog(<Handle>handle, <char*>_log_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_info_log_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
@@ -287,8 +287,8 @@ cpdef size_t get_info_log_size(intptr_t handle) except? 0:
     """
     cdef size_t size
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetInfoLogSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetInfoLogSize(<Handle>handle, &size)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return size
 
 
@@ -303,8 +303,8 @@ cpdef get_info_log(intptr_t handle, log):
     """
     cdef void* _log_ = get_buffer_pointer(log, -1, readonly=False)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkGetInfoLog(<Handle>handle, <char*>_log_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkGetInfoLog(<Handle>handle, <char*>_log_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef tuple version():
@@ -321,6 +321,6 @@ cpdef tuple version():
     cdef unsigned int major
     cdef unsigned int minor
     with nogil:
-        status = nvJitLinkVersion(&major, &minor)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvJitLinkVersion(&major, &minor)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return (major, minor)
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvvm.pyx b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvvm.pyx
index d5cc27b7fe..ead4997348 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvvm.pyx
+++ b/cuda_bindings/cuda/bindings/nvvm.pyx
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ cpdef tuple version():
     cdef int major
     cdef int minor
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmVersion(&major, &minor)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmVersion(&major, &minor)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return (major, minor)
 
 
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@ cpdef tuple ir_version():
     cdef int major_dbg
     cdef int minor_dbg
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmIRVersion(&major_ir, &minor_ir, &major_dbg, &minor_dbg)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmIRVersion(&major_ir, &minor_ir, &major_dbg, &minor_dbg)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return (major_ir, minor_ir, major_dbg, minor_dbg)
 
 
@@ -138,8 +138,8 @@ cpdef intptr_t create_program() except? 0:
     """
     cdef Program prog
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmCreateProgram(&prog)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmCreateProgram(&prog)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return <intptr_t>prog
 
 
@@ -160,8 +160,8 @@ cpdef add_module_to_program(intptr_t prog, buffer, size_t size, name):
     cdef bytes _temp_name_ = (<str>name).encode()
     cdef char* _name_ = _temp_name_
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmAddModuleToProgram(<Program>prog, <const char*>_buffer_, size, <const char*>_name_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmAddModuleToProgram(<Program>prog, <const char*>_buffer_, size, <const char*>_name_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef lazy_add_module_to_program(intptr_t prog, buffer, size_t size, name):
@@ -181,8 +181,8 @@ cpdef lazy_add_module_to_program(intptr_t prog, buffer, size_t size, name):
     cdef bytes _temp_name_ = (<str>name).encode()
     cdef char* _name_ = _temp_name_
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmLazyAddModuleToProgram(<Program>prog, <const char*>_buffer_, size, <const char*>_name_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmLazyAddModuleToProgram(<Program>prog, <const char*>_buffer_, size, <const char*>_name_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef compile_program(intptr_t prog, int num_options, options):
@@ -204,8 +204,8 @@ cpdef compile_program(intptr_t prog, int num_options, options):
     cdef nested_resource[ char ] _options_
     get_nested_resource_ptr[char](_options_, options, <char*>NULL)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmCompileProgram(<Program>prog, num_options, <const char**>(_options_.ptrs.data()))
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmCompileProgram(<Program>prog, num_options, <const char**>(_options_.ptrs.data()))
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef verify_program(intptr_t prog, int num_options, options):
@@ -227,8 +227,8 @@ cpdef verify_program(intptr_t prog, int num_options, options):
     cdef nested_resource[ char ] _options_
     get_nested_resource_ptr[char](_options_, options, <char*>NULL)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmVerifyProgram(<Program>prog, num_options, <const char**>(_options_.ptrs.data()))
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmVerifyProgram(<Program>prog, num_options, <const char**>(_options_.ptrs.data()))
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_compiled_result_size(intptr_t prog) except? 0:
@@ -244,8 +244,8 @@ cpdef size_t get_compiled_result_size(intptr_t prog) except? 0:
     """
     cdef size_t buffer_size_ret
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmGetCompiledResultSize(<Program>prog, &buffer_size_ret)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmGetCompiledResultSize(<Program>prog, &buffer_size_ret)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return buffer_size_ret
 
 
@@ -260,8 +260,8 @@ cpdef get_compiled_result(intptr_t prog, buffer):
     """
     cdef void* _buffer_ = get_buffer_pointer(buffer, -1, readonly=False)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmGetCompiledResult(<Program>prog, <char*>_buffer_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmGetCompiledResult(<Program>prog, <char*>_buffer_)
+    check_status(__status__)
 
 
 cpdef size_t get_program_log_size(intptr_t prog) except? 0:
@@ -277,8 +277,8 @@ cpdef size_t get_program_log_size(intptr_t prog) except? 0:
     """
     cdef size_t buffer_size_ret
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmGetProgramLogSize(<Program>prog, &buffer_size_ret)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmGetProgramLogSize(<Program>prog, &buffer_size_ret)
+    check_status(__status__)
     return buffer_size_ret
 
 
@@ -293,5 +293,5 @@ cpdef get_program_log(intptr_t prog, buffer):
     """
     cdef void* _buffer_ = get_buffer_pointer(buffer, -1, readonly=False)
     with nogil:
-        status = nvvmGetProgramLog(<Program>prog, <char*>_buffer_)
-    check_status(status)
+        __status__ = nvvmGetProgramLog(<Program>prog, <char*>_buffer_)
+    check_status(__status__)
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/docs/source/release/13.X.Y-notes.rst b/cuda_bindings/docs/source/release/13.X.Y-notes.rst
index 35e40c4be6..46f4b8cd50 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/docs/source/release/13.X.Y-notes.rst
+++ b/cuda_bindings/docs/source/release/13.X.Y-notes.rst
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Bug fixes
 ---------
 
 * Restoring the :func:`~driver.cuCheckpointProcessRestore` API removed by mistake.
+* If a library isn't found, its methods will not be callable, rather than immediately raising a ``pathfinder.DynamicLibNotFoundError``.
 
 
 Known issues
diff --git a/cuda_bindings/tests/test_nvjitlink.py b/cuda_bindings/tests/test_nvjitlink.py
index 3bfeb8d35a..2821814e01 100644
--- a/cuda_bindings/tests/test_nvjitlink.py
+++ b/cuda_bindings/tests/test_nvjitlink.py
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2024-2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-NVIDIA-SOFTWARE-LICENSE
 
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import textwrap
+
 import pytest
 from cuda.bindings import nvjitlink, nvrtc
 
@@ -175,3 +179,29 @@ def test_package_version():
     ver = nvjitlink.version()
     assert len(ver) == 2
     assert ver >= (12, 0)
+
+
+def test_nvjitlink_fallback():
+    # If nvjitlink isn't present, we should not raise an exception.
+    # This test just monkeypatches load_nvidia_dynamic_lib to always
+    # return a NULL handle.
+    # See issue #951.
+
+    code = textwrap.dedent("""
+        from cuda import pathfinder
+
+        def load_nvidia_dynamic_lib(libname):
+            class Dummy:
+                _handle_uint = 0
+            return Dummy()
+
+        pathfinder.load_nvidia_dynamic_lib = load_nvidia_dynamic_lib
+
+        from cuda.bindings._internal import nvjitlink
+        assert nvjitlink._inspect_function_pointer("__nvJitLinkVersion") == 0
+    """)
+
+    subprocess.run(  # noqa: S603
+        [sys.executable, "-c", code],
+        check=True,
+    )