diff --git a/lib/class_builder.js b/lib/class_builder.js
index 2ca33d0..89948eb 100644
--- a/lib/class_builder.js
+++ b/lib/class_builder.js
@@ -522,8 +522,12 @@ function attachPropInit( prototype, properties, members, cid )
 
         // provide a means to access the actual instance (rather than the
         // property/visibility object) internally (this will translate to
-        // this.__self from within a method)
-        util.defineSecureProp( vis, '__self', this );
+        // this.__self from within a method), but only if we're on our final
+        // object (not a parent)
+        if ( typeof parent_init !== 'function' )
+        {
+            util.defineSecureProp( vis, '__self', this );
+        }
     });
 }