diff --git a/src/hdmf/spec/spec.py b/src/hdmf/spec/spec.py
index bbd97b592..0e15cb92c 100644
--- a/src/hdmf/spec/spec.py
+++ b/src/hdmf/spec/spec.py
@@ -1045,24 +1045,20 @@ def is_inherited_spec(self, **kwargs):
             return self.is_inherited_type(spec_name)
         elif spec_name in self.__target_types:
             return self.is_inherited_target_type(spec_name)
+        elif super().is_inherited_spec(spec):  # attribute spec
+            return True
         else:
-            # attribute spec
-            if super().is_inherited_spec(spec):
-                return True
+            parent_name = spec.parent.name
+            if parent_name is None:
+                parent_name = spec.parent.data_type
+            if isinstance(spec.parent, DatasetSpec):
+                if (parent_name in self.__datasets and self.is_inherited_dataset(parent_name) and 
+                    self.__datasets[parent_name].get_attribute(spec_name) is not None):
+                        return True
             else:
-                parent_name = spec.parent.name
-                if parent_name is None:
-                    parent_name = spec.parent.data_type
-                if isinstance(spec.parent, DatasetSpec):
-                    if parent_name in self.__datasets:
-                        if self.is_inherited_dataset(parent_name):
-                            if self.__datasets[parent_name].get_attribute(spec_name) is not None:
-                                return True
-                else:
-                    if parent_name in self.__groups:
-                        if self.is_inherited_group(parent_name):
-                            if self.__groups[parent_name].get_attribute(spec_name) is not None:
-                                return True
+                if (parent_name in self.__groups and self.is_inherited_group(parent_name) and :
+                    self.__groups[parent_name].get_attribute(spec_name) is not None):
+                        return True
         return False
 
     @docval({'name': 'spec', 'type': Spec, 'doc': 'the specification to check'})