diff --git a/src/pystencils/gpu/kernelcreation.py b/src/pystencils/gpu/kernelcreation.py
index c2e6143bcd2e8dc98742c89a2ca0477afcade4b7..c7670c2d1311567d43881283bd445f3fb98eef85 100644
--- a/src/pystencils/gpu/kernelcreation.py
+++ b/src/pystencils/gpu/kernelcreation.py
@@ -72,9 +72,11 @@ def create_cuda_kernel(assignments: NodeCollection, config: CreateKernelConfig):
 
     if len(indexed_elements) > 0:
         common_indexed_element = get_common_indexed_element(indexed_elements)
+        index = list(common_indexed_element.indices[0].atoms(TypedSymbol))
+        assert len(index) == 1, "index expressions must only contain one symbol representing the index"
         indexing = indexing_creator(iteration_space=(slice(0, common_indexed_element.shape[0], 1), *iteration_space),
                                     data_layout=common_field.layout)
-        extended_ctrs = [common_indexed_element.indices[0], *loop_counter_symbols]
+        extended_ctrs = [index[0], *loop_counter_symbols]
         loop_counter_assignments = indexing.get_loop_ctr_assignments(extended_ctrs)
     else:
         indexing = indexing_creator(iteration_space=iteration_space, data_layout=common_field.layout)