diff --git a/src/ORM/Locator/LocatorAwareTrait.php b/src/ORM/Locator/LocatorAwareTrait.php
index 791070b705e..de130a9e43f 100644
--- a/src/ORM/Locator/LocatorAwareTrait.php
+++ b/src/ORM/Locator/LocatorAwareTrait.php
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ public function locator(LocatorInterface $locator = null)
             $this->_locator = $locator;
         }
         if (!$this->_locator) {
-            $this->_locator = TableRegistry::locator();
+            $locator = TableRegistry::locator();
+            $this->_locator =& $locator;
         }
         return $this->_locator;
     }