diff --git a/swagger_parser/swagger_parser.py b/swagger_parser/swagger_parser.py
index a0c4d35..09aaef9 100755
--- a/swagger_parser/swagger_parser.py
+++ b/swagger_parser/swagger_parser.py
@@ -224,6 +224,8 @@ def _example_from_complex_def(self, prop_spec):
             else:
                 definition_name = self.get_definition_name_from_ref(prop_spec['schema']['items']['$ref'])
             return [self.definitions_example[definition_name]]
+        else:
+            return self.get_example_from_prop_spec(prop_spec['schema'])
 
     def _example_from_array_spec(self, prop_spec):
         """Get an example from a property specification of an array.
@@ -509,6 +511,10 @@ def _check_body_parameters(self, body, action_spec):
                         definition_name = self.get_definition_name_from_ref(param_spec['schema']['items']['$ref'])
                         if len(body) > 0 and not self.validate_definition(definition_name, body[0]):
                             return False
+                    elif 'type' in param_spec['schema'].keys():
+                        # Type but not array
+                        if not self.check_type(body, param_spec['schema']['type']):
+                            return False
                     else:
                         definition_name = self.get_definition_name_from_ref(param_spec['schema']['$ref'])
                         if not self.validate_definition(definition_name, body):
@@ -584,6 +590,9 @@ def get_send_request_correct_body(self, path, action):
                                 # Get value from definition
                                 definition_name = self.get_definition_name_from_ref(spec['schema']['items']['$ref'])
                                 return [self.definitions_example[definition_name]]
+                            elif 'type' in spec['schema'].keys():
+                                # Type but not array
+                                return self.get_example_from_prop_spec(spec['schema'])
                             else:
                                 # Get value from definition
                                 definition_name = self.get_definition_name_from_ref(spec['schema']['$ref'])
diff --git a/tests/swagger.yaml b/tests/swagger.yaml
index abfe5a4..0979244 100644
--- a/tests/swagger.yaml
+++ b/tests/swagger.yaml
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ paths:
           description: Updated user object
           required: false
           schema:
-            $ref: "#/definitions/User"
+            type: string
       responses:
         "200":
           description: Created
diff --git a/tests/test_swagger_parser.py b/tests/test_swagger_parser.py
index a7e7739..f883f48 100755
--- a/tests/test_swagger_parser.py
+++ b/tests/test_swagger_parser.py
@@ -140,3 +140,4 @@ def test_get_request_data(swagger_parser, pet_definition_example):
 def test_get_send_request_correct_body(swagger_parser, pet_definition_example):
     assert swagger_parser.get_send_request_correct_body('/pets', 'post') == pet_definition_example
     assert swagger_parser.get_send_request_correct_body('/pets/findByStatus', 'get') is None
+    assert swagger_parser.get_send_request_correct_body('/users/username', 'put') == 'string'