diff --git a/src/parcels/_chunk_cached_array/core.py b/src/parcels/_chunk_cached_array/core.py
index d9b938aa2..e155989e4 100644
--- a/src/parcels/_chunk_cached_array/core.py
+++ b/src/parcels/_chunk_cached_array/core.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def wrap_dataset(ds: xr.Dataset, max_cache_bytes: int) -> xr.Dataset:
     for name in list(ds.coords):
         ds[name].load()
     for name in ds.data_vars:
-        var = ds[name].variable
+        var = ds.variables[name]
         if is_duck_array(var._data) and is_dask_collection(var._data):
             var._data = ChunkCachedArray(var._data, max_cache_bytes)  # type: ignore[assignment, arg-type]
     return ds
diff --git a/tests/test_backends.py b/tests/test_backends.py
index bf8880ae8..136837dc9 100644
--- a/tests/test_backends.py
+++ b/tests/test_backends.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 import parcels
 import parcels.tutorial
 from parcels._datasets.structured.generated import simple_UV_dataset
+from parcels._datasets.unstructured.generated import simple_small_delaunay
 from parcels.kernels import AdvectionRK2, AdvectionRK4
 
 BackendT = Literal["WindowedArray", "Dask", "NumPy", "ChunkCachedArray"]
@@ -170,3 +171,10 @@ def test_fieldset_describe_backend(nemo_dataset, backend: BackendT):
 
     for other_backend in BACKENDS - {backend}:
         assert not fieldset_uses_backend(fieldset, other_backend)
+
+
+def test_chunk_cached_arrays_on_unstructured_fieldset():
+    ds = simple_small_delaunay().chunk({"time": 1})
+    fset = parcels.FieldSet.from_ugrid_conventions(ds)
+    fset.to_chunk_cached_arrays()
+    assert fieldset_uses_backend(fset, "ChunkCachedArray")