diff --git a/source/sortable-helper.js b/source/sortable-helper.js
index 88f3bba..64cd1e2 100644
--- a/source/sortable-helper.js
+++ b/source/sortable-helper.js
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@
             targetElementOffset: null,
             sourceInfo: {
               index: item.index(),
-              itemScope: item.itemScope,
+              itemScope: (item.itemScope || item),
               sortableScope: item.sortableScope
             },
             canMove: function(itemPosition, targetElement, targetElementOffset) {