diff --git a/tests/linux/afp_smoke_suite.sh b/tests/linux/afp_smoke_suite.sh
index b30bdd2..097e9c1 100755
--- a/tests/linux/afp_smoke_suite.sh
+++ b/tests/linux/afp_smoke_suite.sh
@@ -442,10 +442,11 @@ if command -v getfattr >/dev/null 2>&1; then
         "getfattr -n user.org.mars-nwe.afp.finder-info -e hex '$UNIX_PATH'" \
         getfattr -n user.org.mars-nwe.afp.finder-info -e hex "$UNIX_PATH"
 
-    run_cmd \
-        "Linux xattr: AFP Attributes" \
+    run_optional_cmd \
+        "Linux xattr: AFP Attributes (optional AFP-only bits)" \
         "getfattr -n user.org.mars-nwe.afp.attributes -e hex '$UNIX_PATH'" \
-        getfattr -n user.org.mars-nwe.afp.attributes -e hex "$UNIX_PATH"
+        getfattr -n user.org.mars-nwe.afp.attributes -e hex "$UNIX_PATH" || \
+        emit "AFP-only attributes xattr is absent; this is expected when the tested Hidden/System/Archive bits are stored through the NetWare attribute path."
 
     run_cmd \
         "Linux xattr: AFP Entry ID" \