diff --git a/src/Gate.php b/src/Gate.php
index 30465b3..cd3b689 100644
--- a/src/Gate.php
+++ b/src/Gate.php
@@ -167,10 +167,10 @@ private function _associations($model, $plugin = null)
     {
         $associationTypes = $this->getConfig('associationTypes');
 
-        if (empty($plugin) || strtolower($plugin == 'app')) {
-            $setModel = TableRegistry::get($model);
+        if (empty($plugin) || (!empty($plugin) && strtolower($plugin) == 'app')) {
+            $setModel = TableRegistry::getTableLocator()->get($model);
         } else {
-            $setModel = TableRegistry::get($plugin . '.' . $model);
+            $setModel = TableRegistry::getTableLocator()->get($plugin . '.' . $model);
         }
 
         $associationsArray = [];