diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index 5ee2536d2..9a58d966f 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@ class ModelSerializer(Serializer):
 
                 # Raise an error if we span more than one relation
                 if len(keys) > 2:
-                    self._errors[key] = 'Can not span more than a relation'
+                    self._errors[key] = 'Can not span more than a relation.'
                     continue
 
                 # Mark the related instance as the one to save
diff --git a/rest_framework/tests/test_serializer.py b/rest_framework/tests/test_serializer.py
index 7a95c6510..7edf7ea96 100644
--- a/rest_framework/tests/test_serializer.py
+++ b/rest_framework/tests/test_serializer.py
@@ -1889,3 +1889,19 @@ class RelationSpanningSerializerTest(TestCase):
         serializer = TicketSerializer(ticket, data={'username': 'doe'})
         self.assertFalse(serializer.is_valid())
         self.assertEqual(serializer.errors, {'username': 'Related object does not exist.'})
+
+    def test_multiple_model_traversal_update(self):
+        """Update a field through a foreign key during an update."""
+        class TicketSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
+            username = fields.CharField(source='assigned.demo.name')
+
+            class Meta:
+                model = Ticket
+                fields = ('username',)
+
+        owner = Person.objects.create(name='john')
+        reviewer = Person.objects.create(name='reviewer')
+        ticket = Ticket.objects.create(assigned=owner, reviewer=reviewer)
+        serializer = TicketSerializer(ticket, data={'username': 'doe'})
+        self.assertFalse(serializer.is_valid())
+        self.assertEqual(serializer.errors, {'username': 'Can not span more than a relation.'})