diff --git a/satpy/readers/fci_l2_nc.py b/satpy/readers/fci_l2_nc.py
index 730d1ae7ae..d5b0e037ba 100644
--- a/satpy/readers/fci_l2_nc.py
+++ b/satpy/readers/fci_l2_nc.py
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ def get_dataset(self, dataset_id, dataset_info):
         if dataset_info["file_type"] == "nc_fci_test_clm":
             variable = self._decode_clm_test_data(variable, dataset_info)
 
-        if "fill_value" in dataset_info:
+        if "fill_value" in dataset_info and np.issubdtype(variable.dtype, np.inexact):
             variable = self._mask_data(variable, dataset_info["fill_value"])
 
         variable = self._set_attributes(variable, dataset_info)
diff --git a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_fci_l2_nc.py b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_fci_l2_nc.py
index 2761e92c60..62c5f096be 100644
--- a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_fci_l2_nc.py
+++ b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_fci_l2_nc.py
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def test_dataset_with_scalar(self):
         with pytest.raises(NotImplementedError):
             self.fh.get_area_def(None)
 
-    def test_emumerations(self):
+    def test_enumerations(self):
         """Test the conversion of enumerated type information into flag_values and flag_meanings."""
         dataset = self.fh.get_dataset(make_dataid(name="test_enum", resolution=2000),
                                       {"name": "quality_flag",
@@ -235,6 +235,16 @@ def test_emumerations(self):
         assert "flag_meanings" in attributes
         assert attributes["flag_meanings"] == ["False","True"]
 
+    def test_enum_with_fill_value_remains_int(self):
+        """Test that enum with a fill value (such as cloud type) remains uint8."""
+        dataset = self.fh.get_dataset(make_dataid(name="test_enum", resolution=2000),
+                                      {"name": "quality_flag",
+                                       "nc_key": "quality_flag",
+                                       "file_type": "test_file_type",
+                                       "import_enum_information": True,
+                                       "fill_value": -127})
+        assert np.issubdtype(dataset.dtype, np.integer)
+
     def test_units_from_file(self):
         """Test units extraction from NetCDF file."""
         dataset = self.fh.get_dataset(make_dataid(name="test_units_from_file", resolution=2000),