diff --git a/unittest/python/test_user_type.py b/unittest/python/test_user_type.py
index f9408362e26f7e611af9803576fb46322520decd..bd9f750978d5fb718d342a24c3b6eeafc1100ab2 100644
--- a/unittest/python/test_user_type.py
+++ b/unittest/python/test_user_type.py
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ def test(dtype):
   assert not (mat < mat).all()
 
   mat2 = mat.dot(mat.T)
-  mat2 = np.matmul(mat,mat.T)
+  if np.__version__ >= '1.17.0':
+    mat2 = np.matmul(mat,mat.T)
 
 def test_cast(from_dtype,to_dtype):
   np.can_cast(from_dtype,to_dtype)