diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/bpf_nf.c b/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/bpf_nf.c
index b30ff6b3b81a..f80660c00a1a 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/bpf_nf.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/bpf/prog_tests/bpf_nf.c
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ static void test_bpf_nf_ct(int mode)
 		.repeat = 1,
 	);
 
+	if (SYS_NOFAIL("iptables-legacy --version")) {
+		fprintf(stdout, "Missing required iptables-legacy tool\n");
+		test__skip();
+		return;
+	}
+
 	skel = test_bpf_nf__open_and_load();
 	if (!ASSERT_OK_PTR(skel, "test_bpf_nf__open_and_load"))
 		return;