diff --git a/src/nested_pandas/nestedframe/core.py b/src/nested_pandas/nestedframe/core.py
index b0ed818a..5cd0a708 100644
--- a/src/nested_pandas/nestedframe/core.py
+++ b/src/nested_pandas/nestedframe/core.py
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ def __getitem__(self, item):
         return super().__getitem__(item)
 
     def _getitem_str(self, item):
-        if item in self.nested_columns:
+        if self._is_nested_column(item):
             return NestedSeries(super().__getitem__(item))
         # Preempt the nested check if the item is a base column, with or without
         # dots and backticks.