diff --git a/openide.nodes/src/org/openide/nodes/FilterNode.java b/openide.nodes/src/org/openide/nodes/FilterNode.java
--- a/openide.nodes/src/org/openide/nodes/FilterNode.java
+++ b/openide.nodes/src/org/openide/nodes/FilterNode.java
@@ -1659,7 +1659,14 @@
             }
 
             public Node findChild(String name) {
-                Node dontGC = original.getChildren().findChild(name);
+                Node dontGC = null;
+                while (true) {
+                    Node oldOriginal = original;
+                    dontGC = original.getChildren().findChild(name);
+                    if (original == oldOriginal) {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
                 return Children.super.findChild(name);
             }