diff --git a/VERSION.txt b/VERSION.txt
index c2c0004..449d7e7 100644
--- a/VERSION.txt
+++ b/VERSION.txt
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.3.5
+0.3.6
diff --git a/src/portal_visualization/client.py b/src/portal_visualization/client.py
index f1142a1..82ad008 100644
--- a/src/portal_visualization/client.py
+++ b/src/portal_visualization/client.py
@@ -247,6 +247,8 @@ def get_vitessce_conf_cells_and_lifted_uuid(
         else:  # pragma: no cover  # We have separate tests for the builder logic
             try:
                 def get_entity(entity):
+                    if (type(entity) is str):
+                        return self.get_entity(uuid=entity)
                     return self.get_entity(uuid=entity.get('uuid'))
                 Builder = get_view_config_builder(entity, get_entity, parent, epic_uuid)
                 builder = Builder(entity, self.groups_token, self.assets_endpoint)