diff --git a/src/underworld3/swarm.py b/src/underworld3/swarm.py
index 5bf1dbe22..06e3ae35f 100644
--- a/src/underworld3/swarm.py
+++ b/src/underworld3/swarm.py
@@ -1065,6 +1065,12 @@ def _create_proxy_variable(self):
                 continuous=self._proxy_continuous,
                 varsymbol=r"\left<" + self.symbol + r"\right>",
                 remesh_policy="reinit",
+                # The proxy is what `var.sym` resolves to, so it advertises
+                # the same units as the variable it stands for. Without this,
+                # evaluating a proxied symbol returned the NON-DIMENSIONAL
+                # number with no units attached, as though it were the answer
+                # (issue #439). Stored data stays non-dimensional either way.
+                units=self._units,
             )
             # The remesh helper calls this on REINIT vars after an
             # adapt. Bound here so the closure captures ``self`` (the
diff --git a/tests/test_0116_swarm_proxy_units.py b/tests/test_0116_swarm_proxy_units.py
index 4eb08574e..050ea3716 100644
--- a/tests/test_0116_swarm_proxy_units.py
+++ b/tests/test_0116_swarm_proxy_units.py
@@ -105,3 +105,107 @@ def test_proxy_refresh_still_works_without_units():
 
     del swarm
     del mesh
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# The proxy advertises the swarm variable's units (issue #439).
+#
+# The proxy MeshVariable is what `var.sym` resolves to, so if it carries no
+# units then reading a proxied variable through the symbolic path silently
+# returns the NON-DIMENSIONAL number as though it were the answer. Measured
+# before the fix, with density=3300 kg/m^3 as the reference and a stored
+# value of 1.0:
+#
+#     swarm.array 3300.0   proxy.array 1.0        <- disagree
+#     evaluate(rho.sym) -> ndarray 1.0, no units
+#
+# Stored data is non-dimensional on both sides either way; only what the
+# proxy declares changes.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+@pytest.fixture
+def dimensional_model():
+    orchestration_model = uw.get_default_model()
+    orchestration_model.set_reference_quantities(
+        length=uw.quantity(1000.0, "km"),
+        viscosity=uw.quantity(1e21, "Pa*s"),
+        density=uw.quantity(3300.0, "kg/m^3"),
+    )
+    yield orchestration_model
+    uw.reset_default_model()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def dimensional_mesh(dimensional_model):
+    return UnstructuredSimplexBox(
+        minCoords=(0.0, 0.0), maxCoords=(1.0, 1.0), cellSize=1.0 / 8.0
+    )
+
+
+def test_proxy_inherits_the_swarm_variable_units(dimensional_mesh):
+    swarm = uw.swarm.Swarm(dimensional_mesh)
+    var = swarm.add_variable(name="rho", size=1, proxy_degree=1, units="kg/m^3")
+    swarm.populate(fill_param=3)
+
+    assert var._meshVar.units == var.units, (
+        f"proxy advertises {var._meshVar.units}, variable advertises {var.units}"
+    )
+
+    del swarm
+
+
+def test_proxy_and_swarm_dimensional_views_agree(dimensional_mesh):
+    """`.array` dimensionalises; both sides must reach the same number."""
+    swarm = uw.swarm.Swarm(dimensional_mesh)
+    var = swarm.add_variable(name="rho", size=1, proxy_degree=1, units="kg/m^3")
+    swarm.populate(fill_param=3)
+
+    var.data[:, 0] = 1.0                      # non-dimensional 1.0 == 3300 kg/m^3
+    var._update_proxy_if_stale()
+
+    swarm_value = np.asarray(var.array).ravel()[0]
+    proxy_value = np.asarray(var._meshVar.array).ravel()[0]
+
+    assert np.isclose(swarm_value, 3300.0, rtol=1e-10)
+    assert np.isclose(proxy_value, swarm_value, rtol=1e-10), (
+        f"swarm .array {swarm_value:.6g} but proxy .array {proxy_value:.6g}"
+    )
+    # Storage stays non-dimensional on both sides.
+    assert np.isclose(np.asarray(var._meshVar.data[0, 0]), 1.0, rtol=1e-10)
+
+    del swarm
+
+
+def test_evaluating_a_proxied_symbol_returns_dimensional_values(dimensional_mesh):
+    """The silent-wrong-value case: evaluate used to return the raw 1.0."""
+    from underworld3.utilities.unit_aware_array import UnitAwareArray
+
+    swarm = uw.swarm.Swarm(dimensional_mesh)
+    var = swarm.add_variable(name="rho", size=1, proxy_degree=1, units="kg/m^3")
+    swarm.populate(fill_param=3)
+
+    var.data[:, 0] = 1.0
+    values = uw.function.evaluate(var.sym[0], np.array([[0.5, 0.5], [0.25, 0.75]]))
+
+    assert isinstance(values, UnitAwareArray), (
+        f"evaluate returned {type(values).__name__}; a units-carrying proxy "
+        "must not present non-dimensional numbers as the answer"
+    )
+    assert str(values.units) == "kilogram / meter ** 3"
+    assert np.allclose(np.asarray(values).ravel(), 3300.0, rtol=1e-8)
+
+    del swarm
+
+
+def test_variable_without_units_keeps_a_dimensionless_proxy(dimensional_mesh):
+    """Only variables that declare units get a units-carrying proxy."""
+    swarm = uw.swarm.Swarm(dimensional_mesh)
+    var = swarm.add_variable(name="f", size=1, proxy_degree=1)
+    swarm.populate(fill_param=3)
+
+    assert var._meshVar.units is None
+
+    var.data[:, 0] = 1.0
+    var._update_proxy_if_stale()
+    assert np.isclose(np.asarray(var._meshVar.array).ravel()[0], 1.0, rtol=1e-10)
+
+    del swarm