diff --git a/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/query.py b/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/query.py
index 05349cf0bf..36180e8d5b 100644
--- a/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/query.py
+++ b/lib/sqlalchemy/orm/query.py
@@ -3541,7 +3541,7 @@ class _ColumnEntity(_QueryEntity):
             attributes.QueryableAttribute,
             interfaces.PropComparator
         )):
-            _entity = column._parententity
+            _entity = getattr(column, '_parententity', None)
             if _entity is not None:
                 search_entities = False
             self._label_name = column.key