diff --git a/rest_framework_bulk/drf3/serializers.py b/rest_framework_bulk/drf3/serializers.py
index 01571b1..14c0960 100644
--- a/rest_framework_bulk/drf3/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework_bulk/drf3/serializers.py
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def to_internal_value(self, data):
 
         for item in data:
             try:
-                self.child.instance = self.instance.get(id=item['id'])
+                self.child.instance = self.instance.get(id=item['id']) if self.instance else None
                 self.child.initial_data = item
                 validated = self.child.run_validation(item)
             except ValidationError as exc: