diff --git a/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpExists.java b/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpExists.java
index 40bbd0ebc..f74b3d24e 100644
--- a/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpExists.java
+++ b/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpExists.java
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public ExpExists() {
 
   public ExpExists(Exp subExp) {
       this();
-      jjtAddChild((Node) subExp, 0);
+      setOperand(0, subExp);
   }
 
   /** Accept the visitor. **/
diff --git a/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpNotExists.java b/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpNotExists.java
index 426144afc..8583bf38c 100644
--- a/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpNotExists.java
+++ b/agrest-engine/src/main/java/io/agrest/exp/parser/ExpNotExists.java
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public ExpNotExists() {
 
   public ExpNotExists(Exp subExp) {
     this();
-    jjtAddChild((Node) subExp, 0);
+    setOperand(0, subExp);
   }
 
   /** Accept the visitor. **/