diff --git a/python/CuTeDSL/cutlass/cute/arch/nvvm_wrappers.py b/python/CuTeDSL/cutlass/cute/arch/nvvm_wrappers.py
index 8a9cba11ed..c7657bddb9 100644
--- a/python/CuTeDSL/cutlass/cute/arch/nvvm_wrappers.py
+++ b/python/CuTeDSL/cutlass/cute/arch/nvvm_wrappers.py
@@ -2968,6 +2968,12 @@ def load(
         mlir_type = dtype.mlir_type
         scalar_dtype = dtype
 
+    # nvvm.load.ext rejects f16/bf16 result types; route them through a
+    # uint16 load + llvm.bitcast to the requested FP type.
+    fp16_bitcast = scalar_dtype in (Float16, BFloat16)
+    if fp16_bitcast:
+        mlir_type = Uint16.mlir_type
+
     result = nvvm.load_ext(
         res=mlir_type,
         addr=ptr,
@@ -2981,6 +2987,9 @@ def load(
         ip=ip,
     )
 
+    if fp16_bitcast:
+        result = llvm.bitcast(scalar_dtype.mlir_type, result, loc=loc, ip=ip)
+
     # Return raw ir.Value for vectors, wrapped Numeric for scalars
     if is_vector:
         return result
diff --git a/test/python/CuTeDSL/test_arch_load.py b/test/python/CuTeDSL/test_arch_load.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7094e22189
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/python/CuTeDSL/test_arch_load.py
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025 - 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-NvidiaProprietary
+#
+# Use of this software is governed by the terms and conditions of the
+# NVIDIA End User License Agreement (EULA), available at:
+# https://docs.nvidia.com/cutlass/latest/media/docs/pythonDSL/license.html
+#
+# Any use, reproduction, disclosure, or distribution of this software
+# and related documentation outside the scope permitted by the EULA
+# is strictly prohibited.
+
+"""
+Unit tests for cutlass.cute.arch.load — in particular the f16/bf16 path,
+which nvvm.load.ext rejects directly and load() must route via uint16 +
+bitcast.
+"""
+
+import unittest
+
+import cutlass
+import cutlass.cute as cute
+from cutlass import (
+    BFloat16,
+    Float16,
+    Float32,
+    Int32,
+    Uint16,
+    Uint32,
+)
+from cutlass.cute.runtime import make_fake_tensor
+
+
+def _compile_load(dtype):
+    """Compile a kernel that loads one element of `dtype` and sinks it as f32.
+
+    Raises DSLRuntimeError if MLIR verification fails (which is what happens
+    when nvvm.load.ext rejects the dtype).
+    """
+
+    @cute.kernel
+    def k(buf: cute.Tensor, out: cute.Tensor):
+        tidx, _, _ = cute.arch.thread_idx()
+        v = cute.arch.load(buf.iterator + tidx, dtype)
+        cute.arch.store(out.iterator + tidx, Float32(v))
+
+    @cute.jit
+    def entry(buf: cute.Tensor, out: cute.Tensor):
+        k(buf, out).launch(grid=(1, 1, 1), block=(32, 1, 1))
+
+    buf = make_fake_tensor(dtype, (32,), stride=(1,), assumed_align=4)
+    out = make_fake_tensor(Float32, (32,), stride=(1,), assumed_align=4)
+    cute.compile(entry, buf, out)
+
+
+class TestArchLoad(unittest.TestCase):
+    # ---- 16-bit FP: covered by the uint16+bitcast workaround in load() ----
+
+    def test_bfloat16(self):
+        _compile_load(BFloat16)
+
+    def test_float16(self):
+        _compile_load(Float16)
+
+    # ---- regression: types that go through nvvm.load.ext directly ----
+
+    def test_float32(self):
+        _compile_load(Float32)
+
+    def test_uint16(self):
+        _compile_load(Uint16)
+
+    def test_uint32(self):
+        _compile_load(Uint32)
+
+    def test_int32(self):
+        _compile_load(Int32)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()