diff --git a/integrations/cursor/imreview.md b/integrations/cursor/imreview.md
index 8031a84e..814a3b8b 100644
--- a/integrations/cursor/imreview.md
+++ b/integrations/cursor/imreview.md
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ Before pytest, run a short import/version compatibility preflight. Bind every
 validation command and result to the head SHA and an environment fingerprint;
 reuse an environment only when its dependency fingerprint matches. After the
 preflight passes, run targeted tests and low-cost static checks alongside the
-source review.
+source review. If the preflight fails, skip tests, continue the source review,
+and record the skipped validation as an explicit verification gap in the final
+report.
 Stop when every changed semantic path has a supported finding or an explicit
 no-issue conclusion; do not add searches only for confidence.
 After source review independently verifies and freezes its candidate findings,
diff --git a/plugins/infermatrix-copilot/skills/imreview/SKILL.md b/plugins/infermatrix-copilot/skills/imreview/SKILL.md
index 517744c9..32c4bd00 100644
--- a/plugins/infermatrix-copilot/skills/imreview/SKILL.md
+++ b/plugins/infermatrix-copilot/skills/imreview/SKILL.md
@@ -33,7 +33,9 @@ Before pytest, run a short import/version compatibility preflight. Bind every
 validation command and result to the head SHA and an environment fingerprint;
 reuse an environment only when its dependency fingerprint matches. After the
 preflight passes, run targeted tests and low-cost static checks alongside the
-source review.
+source review. If the preflight fails, skip tests, continue the source review,
+and record the skipped validation as an explicit verification gap in the final
+report.
 Stop when every changed semantic path has a supported finding or an explicit
 no-issue conclusion; do not add searches only for confidence.
 After source review independently verifies and freezes its candidate findings,
diff --git a/test/test_imreview_output_contract.py b/test/test_imreview_output_contract.py
index 1715745c..5dad779f 100644
--- a/test/test_imreview_output_contract.py
+++ b/test/test_imreview_output_contract.py
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@ def test_imreview_returns_github_style_findings(prompt_path: Path) -> None:
     assert "before reading knowledge, searching source, or running tests" in prompt
     assert "bounded `rg` searches" in prompt
     assert "import/version compatibility preflight" in prompt
+    assert (
+        "If the preflight fails, skip tests, continue the source review, "
+        "and record the skipped validation as an explicit verification gap"
+    ) in prompt
     assert "head SHA and an environment fingerprint" in prompt
     assert "at the pinned head SHA" in prompt
     assert "fetch the PR head ref" in prompt