diff --git a/rioxarray/xarray_plugin.py b/rioxarray/xarray_plugin.py
index 449fbc90..b770e066 100644
--- a/rioxarray/xarray_plugin.py
+++ b/rioxarray/xarray_plugin.py
@@ -60,13 +60,13 @@ def open_dataset(
         )
         if isinstance(ds, xr.DataArray):
             ds = ds.to_dataset()
-        if drop_variables is not None:
-            ds = ds.drop_vars(drop_variables)
         if not isinstance(ds, xr.Dataset):
             raise RioXarrayError(
                 "Multiple resolution sets found. "
                 "Use 'variable' or 'group' to filter."
             )
+        if drop_variables is not None:
+            ds = ds.drop_vars(drop_variables)
         return ds
 
     def guess_can_open(self, filename_or_obj):
diff --git a/test/integration/test_integration_xarray_plugin.py b/test/integration/test_integration_xarray_plugin.py
index 39ba2c1b..c6c0af7b 100644
--- a/test/integration/test_integration_xarray_plugin.py
+++ b/test/integration/test_integration_xarray_plugin.py
@@ -65,4 +65,5 @@ def test_open_multiple_resolution():
                 TEST_INPUT_DATA_DIR, "MOD09GA.A2008296.h14v17.006.2015181011753.hdf"
             ),
             engine="rasterio",
+            drop_variables="QC_500m_1",
         )