diff --git a/tests/subsys/llext/simple/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/subsys/llext/simple/CMakeLists.txt
index 4a9f311d8fa..87a71554ba4 100644
--- a/tests/subsys/llext/simple/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/subsys/llext/simple/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ target_include_directories(app PRIVATE
   ${ZEPHYR_BASE}/arch/${ARCH}/include
 )
 
+if(NOT LOADER_BUILD_ONLY)
 # generate extension targets foreach extension given by name
 foreach(ext_name hello_world logging relative_jump object)
   set(ext_src ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/${ext_name}_ext.c)
@@ -26,3 +27,4 @@ foreach(ext_name hello_world logging relative_jump object)
   )
   generate_inc_file_for_target(app ${ext_bin} ${ext_inc})
 endforeach()
+endif()
diff --git a/tests/subsys/llext/simple/src/test_llext_simple.c b/tests/subsys/llext/simple/src/test_llext_simple.c
index dcb31ac9e4a..6f92951dd56 100644
--- a/tests/subsys/llext/simple/src/test_llext_simple.c
+++ b/tests/subsys/llext/simple/src/test_llext_simple.c
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ void load_call_unload(struct llext_test *test_case)
 
 	llext_unload(&ext);
 }
+
+#ifndef LOADER_BUILD_ONLY
 /*
  * Attempt to load, list, list symbols, call a fn, and unload each
  * extension in the test table. This excercises loading, calling into, and
@@ -151,6 +153,7 @@ static LLEXT_CONST uint8_t relative_jump_ext[] __aligned(4) = {
 	#include "relative_jump.inc"
 };
 LLEXT_LOAD_UNLOAD(relative_jump, true)
+#endif /* ! LOADER_BUILD_ONLY */
 
 static LLEXT_CONST uint8_t object_ext[] __aligned(4) = {
 	#include "object.inc"
diff --git a/tests/subsys/llext/simple/testcase.yaml b/tests/subsys/llext/simple/testcase.yaml
index bd683e2d3b0..2a90bd1fadb 100644
--- a/tests/subsys/llext/simple/testcase.yaml
+++ b/tests/subsys/llext/simple/testcase.yaml
@@ -6,7 +6,25 @@ common:
   platform_exclude:
     - numaker_pfm_m487 # See #63167
     - qemu_cortex_r5 # unsupported relocations
+
 tests:
+  # add_llext_target() supports a fairly limited number of
+  # CONFIG_urations.  For instance, invoking add_llext_target()
+  # currently blocks us from compiling subsys/llext/*.c in 64bits mode;
+  # CMake aborts before even invoking the compiler.
+  #
+  # While there is in practice no value in compiling subsys/llext/*.c
+  # without actually running it to load some extension, let's keep it in
+  # good shape and ready to be used when add_llext_target()
+  # limitations get lifted in the future.
+  llext.simple.loader_build:
+    build_only: true
+    # How to override the above and allow ANY arch?
+    arch_allow: arm arm64 x86 x86_64 xtensa posix
+    extra_args:
+      - LOADER_BUILD_ONLY=1
+      - EXTRA_CFLAGS=-DLOADER_BUILD_ONLY=1
+
   llext.simple.readonly:
     arch_exclude: xtensa # for now
     filter: not CONFIG_MPU and not CONFIG_MMU and not CONFIG_SOC_SERIES_S32ZE