diff --git a/fsl/data/image.py b/fsl/data/image.py
index a5791d4583a54848a693b7f33c727c31c62858af..bc1857e299e00c9dabbb1e5ead1c3240c985043e 100644
--- a/fsl/data/image.py
+++ b/fsl/data/image.py
@@ -1003,7 +1003,7 @@ class Image(Nifti):
         # Get the data type from the
         # first voxel in the image
         coords = [0] * len(self.__nibImage.shape)
-        return self.__nibImage.dataobj[tuple(coords)].dtype
+        return self[tuple(coords)].dtype
 
 
     @Nifti.voxToWorldMat.setter