diff --git a/xbout/geometries.py b/xbout/geometries.py
index 7223751b..2d823f94 100644
--- a/xbout/geometries.py
+++ b/xbout/geometries.py
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ def apply_geometry(ds, geometry_name, *, coordinates=None, grid=None):
                 dz = updated_ds["dz"]
 
             z0 = 2 * np.pi * updated_ds.metadata["ZMIN"]
-            z1 = z0 + nz * dz.data[()]
+            z1 = z0 + nz * dz.data[0, 0]
             if not np.all(
                 np.isclose(
                     z1,
diff --git a/xbout/load.py b/xbout/load.py
index 683c96d8..eab34e32 100644
--- a/xbout/load.py
+++ b/xbout/load.py
@@ -372,9 +372,9 @@ def attrs_remove_section(obj, section):
     # by xBOUT, not by BOUT++
     ds.bout.fine_interpolation_factor = 8
 
-    if ("dump" in input_type or "restart" in input_type) and ds.metadata[
-        "BOUT_VERSION"
-    ] < 4.0:
+    if ("dump" in input_type or "restart" in input_type) and (
+        "BOUT_VERSION" in ds.metadata and ds.metadata["BOUT_VERSION"] < 4.0
+    ):
         # Add workarounds for missing information or different
         # conventions in data saved by BOUT++ v3.x.
         for v in ds: