diff --git a/src/shmem4py/shmem.py b/src/shmem4py/shmem.py
index d56e37a..914f93b 100644
--- a/src/shmem4py/shmem.py
+++ b/src/shmem4py/shmem.py
@@ -997,8 +997,9 @@ def full(
             Valid hints are defined as enumerations in `MALLOC` and can be
             combined using the bitwise OR operator. Keyword argument only.
     """
+    fill_value = np.array(fill_value)
     if dtype is None:
-        dtype = np.array(fill_value).dtype
+        dtype = fill_value.dtype
     a = new_array(shape, dtype, order, align=align, hints=hints, clear=False)
     np.copyto(a, fill_value, casting='unsafe')
     lib.shmem_barrier_all()
diff --git a/test/test_rma.py b/test/test_rma.py
index 7d1fa01..ee31cd4 100644
--- a/test/test_rma.py
+++ b/test/test_rma.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def testGet(self):
         nxpe = (mype + 1) % npes
         for t in types:
             src = shmem.full(1, mype, dtype=t)
-            dst = np.full(1, -1, dtype=t)
+            dst = np.full(1, np.array(-1), dtype=t)
             shmem.barrier_all()
             shmem.get(dst, src, nxpe)
             self.assertEqual(dst[0], nxpe)
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ def testGetNBI(self):
         nxpe = (mype + 1) % npes
         for t in types:
             src = shmem.full(1, mype, dtype=t)
-            dst = np.full(1, -1, dtype=t)
+            dst = np.full(1, np.array(-1), dtype=t)
             shmem.barrier_all()
             shmem.get_nbi(dst, src, nxpe)
             shmem.fence()