diff --git a/field_collection.module b/field_collection.module
index c820057..9f635d7 100644
--- a/field_collection.module
+++ b/field_collection.module
@@ -1959,6 +1959,9 @@ function field_collection_field_property_get($entity, array $options, $name, $en
       elseif (isset($data['value'])) {
         $values[$delta] = $data['value'];
       }
+      elseif (isset($data['entity']) && isset($data['entity']->item_id)) {
+        $values[$delta] = $data['entity']->item_id;
+      }
     }
   }
   // For an empty single-valued field, we have to return NULL.