A handle unit having a handle element for opening and/or closing a lock provided on a moving part includes a lock cylinder, which is protected by a covering cap, and an attachment element, on which the covering cap is releasably disposed. The covering cap has at least one guide projection on the interior thereof, which bears on a guide surface when in the snap-in position, which is formed on the attachment element and is complementary to the guide projection. The attachment element forcibly guides the movement of the covering cap when the covering cap is released, such that the at least one guide projection moves along the complementary guide surface, away from the attachment element.