diff --git a/src/dask_awkward/layers/layers.py b/src/dask_awkward/layers/layers.py
index 86eca7ada..eef1a81a7 100644
--- a/src/dask_awkward/layers/layers.py
+++ b/src/dask_awkward/layers/layers.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def mock_empty(self, backend: BackendT = "cpu") -> AwkwardArray:
                 f"backend must be one of 'cpu', 'jax', or 'cuda', received {backend}"
             )
         return ak.to_backend(
-            self._meta.layout.form.length_zero_array(highlevel=False),
+            self.mock().layout.form.length_zero_array(highlevel=False),
             backend=backend,
             highlevel=True,
         )