diff --git a/lib/template.js b/lib/template.js
index 14f396d..398178f 100644
--- a/lib/template.js
+++ b/lib/template.js
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ var Hogan = {};
 
     if (scope && typeof scope == 'object') {
 
-      if (scope[key] !== undefined) {
+      if (scope[key] !== undefined && scope.hasOwnProperty(key)) {
         val = scope[key];
 
       // try lookup with get for backbone or similar model data