diff --git a/gusto/recovery/recovery.py b/gusto/recovery/recovery.py
index 2548085f6..ad8618470 100644
--- a/gusto/recovery/recovery.py
+++ b/gusto/recovery/recovery.py
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ def __init__(self, x_in, x_out, method='interpolate', boundary_method=None):
         if self.vector_function_space:
             # VectorElement has to be on the outside
             # so first need to get underlying finite element
-            brok_elt = VectorElement(BrokenElement(rec_elt.sub_elements()[0]))
+            brok_elt = VectorElement(BrokenElement(rec_elt.sub_elements[0]))
         else:
             # Otherwise we can immediately get broken element
             brok_elt = BrokenElement(rec_elt)