diff --git a/lib/action_controller/parameters.rb b/lib/action_controller/parameters.rb
index 644f5e6..8488e86 100644
--- a/lib/action_controller/parameters.rb
+++ b/lib/action_controller/parameters.rb
@@ -52,7 +52,11 @@ def permit!
     end
 
     def require(key)
-      self[key].presence || raise(ActionController::ParameterMissing.new(key))
+      if self[key].present? && (self[key].is_a?(ActionController::Parameters) || permitted_scalar?(self[key]))
+        self[key]
+      else
+        raise(ActionController::ParameterMissing.new(key))
+      end
     end
 
     alias :required :require
diff --git a/test/action_controller_required_params_test.rb b/test/action_controller_required_params_test.rb
index 5950f93..a6eec62 100644
--- a/test/action_controller_required_params_test.rb
+++ b/test/action_controller_required_params_test.rb
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ class ActionControllerRequiredParamsTest < ActionController::TestCase
     assert_response :bad_request
   end
 
+  test "required parameters in wrong format will raise exception" do
+    post :create, { :book => [ { :title => "Mjallo!" } ] }
+    assert_response :bad_request
+  end
+
   test "required parameters that are present will not raise" do
     post :create, { :book => { :name => "Mjallo!" } }
     assert_response :ok