diff --git a/src/zarr/storage/_memory.py b/src/zarr/storage/_memory.py
index a3fd058680..904be922d7 100644
--- a/src/zarr/storage/_memory.py
+++ b/src/zarr/storage/_memory.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 from zarr.abc.store import ByteRequest, Store
 from zarr.core.buffer import Buffer, gpu
+from zarr.core.buffer.core import default_buffer_prototype
 from zarr.core.common import concurrent_map
 from zarr.storage._utils import _normalize_byte_range_index
 
@@ -79,10 +80,12 @@ def __eq__(self, other: object) -> bool:
     async def get(
         self,
         key: str,
-        prototype: BufferPrototype,
+        prototype: BufferPrototype | None = None,
         byte_range: ByteRequest | None = None,
     ) -> Buffer | None:
         # docstring inherited
+        if prototype is None:
+            prototype = default_buffer_prototype()
         if not self._is_open:
             await self._open()
         assert isinstance(key, str)