diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index 5dadebb28..691d2aab9 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -147,7 +147,6 @@ class BaseSerializer(WritableField):
         self._data = None
         self._files = None
         self._errors = None
-        self._delete = False
 
     #####
     # Methods to determine which fields to use when (de)serializing objects.