diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index b58e64319..d2ddac287 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ class HyperlinkedModelSerializer(ModelSerializer):
         We need to override the default, to use the url as the identity.
         """
         try:
-            return data.get('url', None)
+            return data.get(self.opts.url_field_name, None)
         except AttributeError:
             return None