diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb
index 9c0a292a097b8..ffb85136249dd 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ def update_columns(attributes)
       raise ActiveRecordError, "can not update on a new record object" unless persisted?
 
       attributes.each_key do |key|
-        raise ActiveRecordError, "#{key.to_s} is marked as readonly" if self.class.readonly_attributes.include?(key.to_s)
+        verify_readonly_attribute(key.to_s)
       end
 
       attributes.each do |k,v|