diff --git a/tensorrt_llm/llmapi/llm.py b/tensorrt_llm/llmapi/llm.py
index f21dcc5927cc..0f283973bee1 100644
--- a/tensorrt_llm/llmapi/llm.py
+++ b/tensorrt_llm/llmapi/llm.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 from tqdm import tqdm
 from transformers import PreTrainedTokenizerBase
 
+from tensorrt_llm._utils import mpi_disabled
 from tensorrt_llm.inputs.data import TextPrompt
 from tensorrt_llm.inputs.multimodal import MultimodalParams
 from tensorrt_llm.inputs.registry import DefaultInputProcessor
@@ -132,8 +133,12 @@ def __init__(self,
             if backend == "pytorch":
                 logger.info("Using LLM with PyTorch backend")
                 llm_args_cls = TorchLlmArgs
-                if self._orchestrator_type == "ray":
+                if self._orchestrator_type == "ray" or mpi_disabled():
+                    self._orchestrator_type = "ray"
                     os.environ["TLLM_DISABLE_MPI"] = "1"
+                    # Propagate to args construction
+                    kwargs["orchestrator_type"] = "ray"
+
             elif backend == '_autodeploy':
                 logger.info("Using LLM with AutoDeploy backend")
                 from .._torch.auto_deploy.llm_args import \
diff --git a/tests/integration/defs/conftest.py b/tests/integration/defs/conftest.py
index a04c24e38b69..f8fc108d0992 100644
--- a/tests/integration/defs/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/integration/defs/conftest.py
@@ -2031,6 +2031,13 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
     parser.addoption("--perf",
                      action="store_true",
                      help="'--perf' will run perf tests")
+    parser.addoption(
+        "--run-ray",
+        action="store_true",
+        default=False,
+        help=
+        "Enable Ray orchestrator path for integration tests (disables MPI).",
+    )
     parser.addoption(
         "--perf-log-formats",
         help=
@@ -2130,6 +2137,8 @@ def pytest_collection_modifyitems(session, config, items):
 def pytest_configure(config):
     # avoid thread leak of tqdm's TMonitor
     tqdm.tqdm.monitor_interval = 0
+    if config.getoption("--run-ray"):
+        os.environ["TLLM_DISABLE_MPI"] = "1"
 
 
 def deselect_by_regex(regexp, items, test_prefix, config):