diff --git a/rest_framework/fields.py b/rest_framework/fields.py
index c0253f86b..d7f650f04 100644
--- a/rest_framework/fields.py
+++ b/rest_framework/fields.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import datetime
 import inspect
 import re
 import warnings
+import collections
 from decimal import Decimal, DecimalException
 from django import forms
 from django.core import validators
@@ -52,8 +53,8 @@ def get_component(obj, attr_name):
     Given an object, and an attribute name,
     return that attribute on the object.
     """
-    if isinstance(obj, dict):
-        val = obj.get(attr_name)
+    if isinstance(obj, collections.Mapping):
+        val = obj[attr_name]
     else:
         val = getattr(obj, attr_name)