diff --git a/testutils/src/icon4py/testutils/utils.py b/testutils/src/icon4py/testutils/utils.py
index d262e8cc39..4766597d51 100644
--- a/testutils/src/icon4py/testutils/utils.py
+++ b/testutils/src/icon4py/testutils/utils.py
@@ -49,9 +49,7 @@ def random_field(
 def zero_field(
     mesh: simple_mesh.SimpleMesh, *dims: gt_common.Dimension, dtype=float
 ) -> it_embedded.MutableLocatedField:
-    return it_embedded.np_as_located_field(*dims)(
-        np.zeros(shape=tuple(map(lambda x: mesh.size[x], dims)), dtype=dtype)
-    )
+    return constant_field(mesh, 0.0, *dims, dtype=dtype)
 
 
 def constant_field(