We propose a nilpotent N = 1 tensor multiplet describing two fields, which are the Goldstino and the axion, the latter being realised in terms of the field strength of a gauge two-form. This supersymmetric multiplet is formulated in terms of a deformed real linear superfield, subject to a cubic nilpotency condition. Its couplings to a super YangMills multiplet and supergravity are presented. To define a nilpotent tensor multiplet in the locally supersymmetric case, one has to make use of either real or complex three-form supergravity theories, which are variant realisations of the old minimal formulation for N = 1 supergravity.