--- a/Cython/Compiler/ExprNodes.py	Sun Feb 21 14:46:16 2010 +0100
+++ b/Cython/Compiler/ExprNodes.py	Mon Feb 22 14:36:59 2010 -0500
@@ -2036,7 +2036,10 @@
                     function = "__Pyx_GetItemInt"
                 code.globalstate.use_utility_code(getitem_int_utility_code)
             else:
-                function = "PyObject_GetItem"
+                if self.base.type is dict_type:
+                    function = "PyDict_GetItem"
+                else:
+                    function = "PyObject_GetItem"
                 index_code = self.index.py_result()
                 sign_code = ""
             code.putln(