Binding to nonexisting interface gives "x.x.x.x is alive"

[mdrmdrmdr]

I'm using fping V4.2 (latest available version in default repository) on NanoPi Neo (Linux nanopineo 5.10.60-sunxi #21.08.2).
Interface wlan0 does not exist (removed WiFi-stick).

fping -I wlan0 10.0.0.100 gives:

binding to specific interface (SO_BINTODEVICE): No such device
binding to specific interface (SO_BINTODEVICE), IPV6: No such device
10.0.0.100 is alive

Even that 10.0.0.100 is pingable via eth0, fping should not detect the IP as alive using a non-existing bound interface.
Also $? returns 0, which is success (and wrong).

ping does it, IMHO, more correct. ping -I wlan0 10.0.0.100 gives:

ping: SO_BINDTODEVICE: No such device

And $? returns 2, which is error (and correct).

[mdrmdrmdr]

Seems to be fixed with V4.3. Unfortunately the default repos have this very old versions...