diff --git a/lib/dynamoid/criteria/chain.rb b/lib/dynamoid/criteria/chain.rb
index c0395f5..438e7d8 100644
--- a/lib/dynamoid/criteria/chain.rb
+++ b/lib/dynamoid/criteria/chain.rb
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def initialize(source)
       #
       # @since 0.2.0
       def where(args)
-        args.each {|k, v| query[k] = v}
+        args.each {|k, v| query[k.to_sym] = v}
         self
       end
 
diff --git a/spec/dynamoid/criteria/chain_spec.rb b/spec/dynamoid/criteria/chain_spec.rb
index aafe1c5..90d8e87 100644
--- a/spec/dynamoid/criteria/chain_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/dynamoid/criteria/chain_spec.rb
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@
     @chain.send(:index).should == User.indexes[[:email, :name]]
   end
 
+  it 'makes string symbol for query keys' do
+    @chain.query = {'name' => 'Josh'}
+    @chain.send(:index).should == User.indexes[[:name]]
+  end
+
   it 'finds matching index for a range query' do
     @chain.query = {"created_at.gt" => @time - 1.day}
     @chain.send(:index).should == User.indexes[[:created_at]]