diff --git a/frappe/client.py b/frappe/client.py
index 0920e7d5df..54dce106bf 100644
--- a/frappe/client.py
+++ b/frappe/client.py
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ def insert(doc=None):
 
 	if doc.get("parent") and doc.get("parenttype"):
 		# inserting a child record
-		parent = frappe.get_doc(doc.parenttype, doc.parent)
-		parent.append(doc)
+		parent = frappe.get_doc(doc.get("parenttype"), doc.get("parent"))
+		parent.append(doc.get("parentfield"), doc)
 		parent.save()
 		return parent.as_dict()
 	else: