diff --git a/includes/content.inc b/includes/content.inc
index e0e5534..029005f 100644
--- a/includes/content.inc
+++ b/includes/content.inc
@@ -339,7 +339,12 @@ function ctools_content_editable($type, $subtype, $conf) {
     return FALSE;
   }
 
-  if ($function = ctools_plugin_get_function($subtype, 'check editable')) {
+  $function = ctools_plugin_get_function($subtype, 'check editable');
+  if (!$function) {
+    $function = ctools_plugin_get_function($type, 'check editable');
+  }
+
+  if ($function) {
     return $function($type, $subtype, $conf);
   }