diff --git a/magnumclient/common/base.py b/magnumclient/common/base.py
index 7dd948fe..d5a5b1ea 100644
--- a/magnumclient/common/base.py
+++ b/magnumclient/common/base.py
@@ -32,10 +32,7 @@ def getid(obj):
     Abstracts the common pattern of allowing both an object or an
     object's ID (UUID) as a parameter when dealing with relationships.
     """
-    try:
-        return obj.id
-    except AttributeError:
-        return obj
+    return getattr(obj, 'id', obj)
 
 
 class Manager(object):