diff --git a/dune/istl/paamg/hierarchy.hh b/dune/istl/paamg/hierarchy.hh
index 666e65780774abe949df760f3b789d0a8daf251a..dc0bf29ef86577592536d7deb6c59b53c4c28601 100644
--- a/dune/istl/paamg/hierarchy.hh
+++ b/dune/istl/paamg/hierarchy.hh
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ namespace Dune
         /** @brief Move to the next coarser level */
         void increment()
         {
-          element_ = std::shared_ptr<Element>(element_->coarser_);
+          element_ = element_->coarser_.lock();
         }
 
         /** @brief Move to the next fine level */