diff --git a/lib/relation-definition.js b/lib/relation-definition.js
index 1171b998..15d78da6 100644
--- a/lib/relation-definition.js
+++ b/lib/relation-definition.js
@@ -1699,9 +1699,7 @@ EmbedsMany.prototype.updateById = function (fkId, data, cb) {
   
   if (inst instanceof modelTo) {
     if (typeof data === 'object') {
-      for (var key in data) {
-        inst[key] = data[key];
-      }
+        inst.setAttributes(data);
     }
     var err = inst.isValid() ? null : new ValidationError(inst);
     if (err && typeof cb === 'function') {