diff --git a/tests/test_dagster.py b/tests/test_dagster.py
index 2b805f2..8064d11 100644
--- a/tests/test_dagster.py
+++ b/tests/test_dagster.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 """Generic tests for Dagster definitions — schedules, jobs, and the Definitions object."""
 
+from pathlib import Path
+
 import pytest
 from dagster import DefaultScheduleStatus
 
@@ -93,7 +95,14 @@ class TestScheduleSpecific:
 # Definitions integration test
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+_MANIFEST = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent / "dbt" / "target" / "manifest.json"
+_skip_no_manifest = pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not _MANIFEST.exists(),
+    reason="dbt manifest not found (only available after local dbt compile)",
+)
 
+
+@_skip_no_manifest
 class TestDefinitions:
     def test_definitions_loads(self):
         from data_platform.definitions import defs