diff --git a/music21/base.py b/music21/base.py
index 124eb593c..a88ffa718 100644
--- a/music21/base.py
+++ b/music21/base.py
@@ -1256,7 +1256,7 @@ def purgeOrphans(self, excludeStorageStreams=True) -> None:
             # of the site does not actually have this Music21Object in
             # its elements list, it is an orphan and should be removed
             # note: this permits non-site context Streams to continue
-            if s.isStream and not s.hasElement(self):
+            if s.isStream and not self in s:
                 if excludeStorageStreams:
                     # only get those that are not Storage Streams
                     if ('SpannerStorage' not in s.classes