diff --git a/jquery.nestable.js b/jquery.nestable.js
index 7323fb4..4a8f78f 100644
--- a/jquery.nestable.js
+++ b/jquery.nestable.js
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@
                 this.dragEl[0].style.visibility = 'visible';
             }
             if (this.pointEl.hasClass(opt.handleClass)) {
-                this.pointEl = this.pointEl.parent(opt.itemNodeName);
+                this.pointEl = this.pointEl.parents(opt.itemNodeName);
             }
             if (this.pointEl.hasClass(opt.emptyClass)) {
                 isEmpty = true;