diff --git a/src/spatialdata_io/readers/xenium.py b/src/spatialdata_io/readers/xenium.py
index b9d0e50..b14e80a 100644
--- a/src/spatialdata_io/readers/xenium.py
+++ b/src/spatialdata_io/readers/xenium.py
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ def _get_tables_and_circles(
     table = TableModel.parse(adata, region=specs["region"], region_key="region", instance_key=str(XeniumKeys.CELL_ID))
     if cells_as_circles:
         transform = Scale([1.0 / specs["pixel_size"], 1.0 / specs["pixel_size"]], axes=("x", "y"))
-        radii = np.sqrt(adata.obs[XeniumKeys.CELL_NUCLEUS_AREA].to_numpy() / np.pi)
+        radii = np.sqrt(adata.obs[XeniumKeys.CELL_AREA].to_numpy() / np.pi)
         circles = ShapesModel.parse(
             circ,
             geometry=0,