diff --git a/kt/ktlib/ciq_helpers.py b/kt/ktlib/ciq_helpers.py
index 05b0c4e..b695a71 100644
--- a/kt/ktlib/ciq_helpers.py
+++ b/kt/ktlib/ciq_helpers.py
@@ -521,10 +521,14 @@ def _read_spec_define(spec_lines, name, value_pattern):
 def read_spec_el_version(spec_lines):
     """Read the EL version number from spec file lines.
 
-    Returns the el_version string (e.g., '9').
-    Raises ValueError if not found.
+    Returns the el_version string (e.g., '9'), or None if %define el_version
+    is not present in the spec or its value does not match the expected
+    numeric pattern.
     """
-    return _read_spec_define(spec_lines, "el_version", r"\d+")
+    try:
+        return _read_spec_define(spec_lines, "el_version", r"\d+")
+    except ValueError:
+        return None
 
 
 FIPS_PROTECTED_DIRECTORIES = [
diff --git a/tests/kt/ktlib/test_ciq_helpers.py b/tests/kt/ktlib/test_ciq_helpers.py
index d88668e..6d7d395 100644
--- a/tests/kt/ktlib/test_ciq_helpers.py
+++ b/tests/kt/ktlib/test_ciq_helpers.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from kt.ktlib.ciq_helpers import CIQ_cherry_pick_commit_standardization
+from kt.ktlib.ciq_helpers import CIQ_cherry_pick_commit_standardization, read_spec_el_version
 
 UPSTREAM_SHA = "1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef12345678"
 AUTHOR_TAG = "commit-author Upstream Author <author@example.com>"
@@ -29,3 +29,42 @@ def test_cherry_pick_standardization_stops_indenting_at_marker():
     lines = standardized_cherry_pick_msg()
     assert lines[-2] == f"(cherry picked from commit {UPSTREAM_SHA})\n"
     assert lines[-1] == "Signed-off-by: Backporter <backporter@example.com>\n"
+
+
+# --- read_spec_el_version tests ---
+
+
+def test_read_spec_el_version_returns_version():
+    spec_lines = [
+        "%define el_version 9\n",
+        "Name: kernel\n",
+    ]
+    assert read_spec_el_version(spec_lines) == "9"
+
+
+def test_read_spec_el_version_returns_two_digit_version():
+    spec_lines = [
+        "%define el_version 10\n",
+        "Name: kernel\n",
+    ]
+    assert read_spec_el_version(spec_lines) == "10"
+
+
+def test_read_spec_el_version_returns_none_when_missing():
+    spec_lines = [
+        "Name: kernel\n",
+        "%define kversion 6\n",
+    ]
+    assert read_spec_el_version(spec_lines) is None
+
+
+def test_read_spec_el_version_returns_none_for_non_numeric():
+    spec_lines = [
+        "%define el_version abc\n",
+        "Name: kernel\n",
+    ]
+    assert read_spec_el_version(spec_lines) is None
+
+
+def test_read_spec_el_version_empty_spec():
+    assert read_spec_el_version([]) is None
diff --git a/update_lt_spec.py b/update_lt_spec.py
index 304e050..6334cb7 100755
--- a/update_lt_spec.py
+++ b/update_lt_spec.py
@@ -112,15 +112,9 @@ def update_spec_file(
     """
     spec = _read_spec_file(spec_path)
 
-    # Extract el_version from spec file
-    try:
-        el_version = read_spec_el_version(spec)
-    except ValueError as e:
-        print(f"ERROR: {e}")
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-    # Construct dist string from el_version for changelog
-    dist = f".el{el_version}"
+    # Construct dist string from el_version for changelog (omit if not defined)
+    el_version = read_spec_el_version(spec)
+    dist = f".el{el_version}" if el_version else ""
 
     # Get git user info, checking both repo-level and global config
     try:
@@ -210,14 +204,9 @@ def bump_spec_file(
 
     spec = _read_spec_file(spec_path)
 
-    # Extract el_version from spec file
-    try:
-        el_version = read_spec_el_version(spec)
-    except ValueError as e:
-        print(f"ERROR: {e}")
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-    dist = f".el{el_version}"
+    # Construct dist string from el_version for changelog (omit if not defined)
+    el_version = read_spec_el_version(spec)
+    dist = f".el{el_version}" if el_version else ""
 
     # Get git user info
     try: