diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index 67cf432e0..24b5d4b59 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -295,6 +295,8 @@ class BaseSerializer(WritableField):
             field.initialize(parent=self, field_name=field_name)
             try:
                 field.field_from_native(data, files, field_name, reverted_data)
+                if field.errors:
+                    self._errors[field_name] = [field.errors]
             except ValidationError as err:
                 self._errors[field_name] = list(err.messages)
 
@@ -435,6 +437,9 @@ class BaseSerializer(WritableField):
         Override default so that the serializer can be used as a writable
         nested field across relationships.
         """
+
+        self._errors = {}
+
         if self.read_only:
             return
 
diff --git a/tests/test_serializer_nested.py b/tests/test_serializer_nested.py
index c09c24db2..b7b6a3b32 100644
--- a/tests/test_serializer_nested.py
+++ b/tests/test_serializer_nested.py
@@ -347,3 +347,39 @@ class NestedModelSerializerUpdateTests(TestCase):
         result = deserialize.object
         result.save()
         self.assertEqual(result.id, john.id)
+
+
+class PlainObjectWithNestedRepresentationDeserializationTest(TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        class ArtistSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
+            artist_name = serializers.CharField(max_length=100)
+            artist_origin = serializers.CharField(max_length=100)
+
+        class AlbumSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
+            album_name = serializers.CharField(max_length=100)
+            artist = ArtistSerializer(source='*')
+
+        self.AlbumSerializer = AlbumSerializer
+
+    def test_deserialize_invalid_nested_representation_error(self):
+        """
+        Incorrect nested deserialization should return appropiate error data.
+        """
+
+        data = {
+            'album_name': 'Discovery',
+            'artist': {
+                'artist_name': 'Daft Punk'
+                # Missing origin
+            }
+        }
+
+        expected_errors = {
+            'artist': [
+                {'artist_origin': ['This field is required.']}
+            ]
+        }
+
+        serializer = self.AlbumSerializer(data=data)
+        self.assertEqual(serializer.is_valid(), False)
+        self.assertEqual(serializer.errors, expected_errors)