diff --git a/lib/machinist.rb b/lib/machinist.rb
index f6bc0ed..477620f 100644
--- a/lib/machinist.rb
+++ b/lib/machinist.rb
@@ -81,7 +81,11 @@ def nil_or_empty?(object)
     
     def assign_attribute(key, value)
       assigned_attributes[key.to_sym] = value
-      @object.send("#{key}=", value)
+      if @adapter.respond_to?(:assign_attribute)
+        @adapter.assign_attribute(@object, key, value)
+      else
+        @object.send("#{key}=", value)
+      end
     end
   
     def attribute_assigned?(key)
diff --git a/lib/machinist/sequel.rb b/lib/machinist/sequel.rb
index b26f390..0307908 100644
--- a/lib/machinist/sequel.rb
+++ b/lib/machinist/sequel.rb
@@ -12,6 +12,14 @@ def self.class_for_association(object, attribute)
       object.class.association_reflection(attribute).associated_class
     end
 
+    def self.assign_attribute(object, attribute, value)
+      if Machinist.nerfed? && has_association?(object, attribute)
+        object.associations[attribute] = value
+      else
+        object.send("#{attribute}=", value)
+      end
+    end
+
     def self.assigned_attributes_without_associations(lathe)
       attributes = {}
       lathe.assigned_attributes.each_pair do |attribute, value|
diff --git a/spec/sequel_spec.rb b/spec/sequel_spec.rb
index 98cdc72..4712d75 100644
--- a/spec/sequel_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/sequel_spec.rb
@@ -124,20 +124,20 @@ class Comment < Sequel::Model
       end
     end
 
-    # Note that building up an unsaved object graph using just the
-    # association methods is not possible in Sequel, so 
-    # make_unsaved will break in amusing ways unless you manually 
-    # override the setters.
-    #
-    # From sequel-talk "Sequel does not have such an API and will not be adding one"
-    # Feb 17
     describe "make_unsaved method" do
       it "should not save the constructed object" do
         Person.blueprint { }
         person = Person.make_unsaved
         person.should be_new
       end
-  
+
+      it "should not save associated objects" do
+        Post.blueprint { }
+        Comment.blueprint { post }
+        comment = Comment.make_unsaved
+        comment.post.should be_new
+      end
+
       it "should save objects made within a passed-in block" do
         Post.blueprint { }
         Comment.blueprint { }