diff --git a/erpnext/setup/doctype/department/department.py b/erpnext/setup/doctype/department/department.py
index 71cf6e96743..a92c77f249d 100644
--- a/erpnext/setup/doctype/department/department.py
+++ b/erpnext/setup/doctype/department/department.py
@@ -77,8 +77,7 @@ def get_children(
 	is_root: bool = False,
 	include_disabled: str | dict | None = None,
 ):
-	if isinstance(include_disabled, str):
-		include_disabled = json.loads(include_disabled)
+	include_disabled = frappe.parse_json(include_disabled)
 	fields = ["name as value", "is_group as expandable"]
 	filters = {}