diff --git a/pubsub/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py b/pubsub/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py
index 35b05a022a12..7294969daf6c 100644
--- a/pubsub/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py
+++ b/pubsub/google/cloud/pubsub_v1/subscriber/client.py
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def callback(message):
                 print(message)
                 message.ack()
 
-            future = subscriber.subscribe(
+            future = subscriber_client.subscribe(
                 subscription, callback)
 
             try: