diff --git a/python/python/tests/test_table.py b/python/python/tests/test_table.py
index d838580c9..b620b0044 100644
--- a/python/python/tests/test_table.py
+++ b/python/python/tests/test_table.py
@@ -984,6 +984,7 @@ def test_open_table_with_branch(tmp_path):
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_async_namespace_open_table_with_branch(tmp_path):
+    pytest.importorskip("lance")  # "dir" impl is lance.namespace.DirectoryNamespace
     db = lancedb.connect_namespace_async("dir", {"root": str(tmp_path)})
     await db.create_namespace(["ns1"])
     table = await db.create_table("t", [{"id": 1}], namespace_path=["ns1"])