diff --git a/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js b/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js
index ffade81194..85e38bb0ff 100644
--- a/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js
+++ b/src/core/ReactCompositeComponent.js
@@ -978,7 +978,6 @@ var ReactCompositeComponentMixin = {
     this._renderedComponent = null;
 
     ReactComponent.Mixin.unmountComponent.call(this);
-    ReactOwner.Mixin.unmountComponent.call(this);
 
     // Some existing components rely on this.props even after they've been
     // destroyed (in event handlers).
diff --git a/src/core/ReactOwner.js b/src/core/ReactOwner.js
index 2249157c49..d690f65c9c 100644
--- a/src/core/ReactOwner.js
+++ b/src/core/ReactOwner.js
@@ -150,10 +150,6 @@ var ReactOwner = {
      */
     detachRef: function(ref) {
       delete this.refs[ref];
-    },
-
-    unmountComponent: function() {
-      this.refs = null;
     }
 
   }