diff --git a/rest_framework/fields.py b/rest_framework/fields.py
index d3ef8f779..a2649297e 100644
--- a/rest_framework/fields.py
+++ b/rest_framework/fields.py
@@ -384,6 +384,10 @@ class ManyRelatedMixin(object):
         else:
             if value == ['']:
                 value = []
+
+        if value is None and self.required:
+            raise ValidationError("Field '%s' is required" % field_name)
+
         into[field_name] = [self.from_native(item) for item in value]
 
 
diff --git a/rest_framework/tests/serializer.py b/rest_framework/tests/serializer.py
index 780177aa0..f3d7e5b21 100644
--- a/rest_framework/tests/serializer.py
+++ b/rest_framework/tests/serializer.py
@@ -411,6 +411,14 @@ class ManyToManyTests(TestCase):
         self.assertEquals(instance.pk, 1)
         self.assertEquals(list(instance.rel.all()), [])
 
+    def test_create_relationship_missing(self):
+        """
+        Create an instance of a model with a missing ManyToMany relationship
+        """
+        data = {}
+        serializer = self.serializer_class(data=data)
+        self.assertEqual(serializer.is_valid(), False)
+
     def test_create_empty_relationship_flat_data(self):
         """
         Create an instance of a model with a ManyToMany relationship,