diff --git a/skimage/exposure/unwrap.py b/skimage/exposure/unwrap.py
index 3c52acde..86444aef 100644
--- a/skimage/exposure/unwrap.py
+++ b/skimage/exposure/unwrap.py
@@ -86,21 +86,15 @@ def unwrap_phase(image, wrap_around=False):
         mask = np.require(image.mask, np.uint8, ['C'])
     else:
         mask = np.zeros_like(image, dtype=np.uint8, order='C')
-    image_not_masked = np.asarray(image, dtype=np.float32, order='C')
-    image_unwrapped = np.empty_like(image, dtype=np.float32, order='C')
+    image_not_masked = np.asarray(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
+    image_unwrapped = np.empty_like(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
 
     if image.ndim == 1:
-        image_not_masked = np.asarray(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
-        image_unwrapped = np.empty_like(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
         unwrap_1d(image_not_masked, image_unwrapped)
     elif image.ndim == 2:
-        image_not_masked = np.asarray(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
-        image_unwrapped = np.empty_like(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
         unwrap_2d(image_not_masked, mask, image_unwrapped,
                   wrap_around)
     elif image.ndim == 3:
-        image_not_masked = np.asarray(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
-        image_unwrapped = np.empty_like(image, dtype=np.float64, order='C')
         unwrap_3d(image_not_masked, mask, image_unwrapped,
                   wrap_around)