diff --git a/array_api_compat/common/_helpers.py b/array_api_compat/common/_helpers.py
index 706821c4..5e71b84a 100644
--- a/array_api_compat/common/_helpers.py
+++ b/array_api_compat/common/_helpers.py
@@ -521,7 +521,10 @@ def your_function(x, y):
                 import torch
                 namespaces.add(torch)
         elif is_dask_array(x):
-            if _use_compat:
+            # dask main namespace is not array API compatible
+            # so return namespace from array-api-compat unless
+            # explicitly requested otherwise
+            if _use_compat or _use_compat is None:
                 _check_api_version(api_version)
                 from ..dask import array as dask_namespace
                 namespaces.add(dask_namespace)