diff --git a/rest_framework/request.py b/rest_framework/request.py
index 7e4daf274..9d4f73d30 100644
--- a/rest_framework/request.py
+++ b/rest_framework/request.py
@@ -278,10 +278,11 @@ class Request(object):
             else:
                 self._full_data = self._data
 
-            # copy data & files refs to the underlying request so that closable
-            # objects are handled appropriately.
-            self._request._post = self.POST
-            self._request._files = self.FILES
+            # if a form media type, copy data & files refs to the underlying
+            # http request so that closable objects are handled appropriately.
+            if is_form_media_type(self.content_type):
+                self._request._post = self.POST
+                self._request._files = self.FILES
 
     def _load_stream(self):
         """