diff --git a/USAGE.md b/USAGE.md
index 7d6eda1..6a77c2a 100644
--- a/USAGE.md
+++ b/USAGE.md
@@ -198,8 +198,7 @@ to patch bitser. [See the list of supported class libraries](#supported-class-li
 If not nil, the argument `classkey` should be a string such that
 `rawget(obj, classkey) == class` for any `obj` whose type is `class`. This is done so that key is skipped for serialization.
 
-If not nil, the argument `deserializer` should be a function such that `deserializer(obj, class)` returns a valid
-instance of `class` with the properties of `obj`. `deserializer` is allowed to mutate `obj`.
+If not nil, the argument `deserializer` should be a function such that `deserializer(obj, class)` mutates `obj` in a way that makes it a valid instance of `class`.
 
 Returns the registered class as a convenience.
 
diff --git a/bitser.lua b/bitser.lua
index a04f3a2..b81fdba 100644
--- a/bitser.lua
+++ b/bitser.lua
@@ -349,8 +349,7 @@ local function deserialize_value(seen)
 		return value
 	elseif t == 242 then
 		--instance
-		local instance_idx = reserve_seen(seen)
-		local instance = {}
+		local instance = add_to_seen({}, seen)
 		local classname = deserialize_value(seen)
 		local class = class_registry[classname]
 		local classkey = classkey_registry[classname]
@@ -367,8 +366,7 @@ local function deserialize_value(seen)
 		if classkey then
 			instance[classkey] = class
 		end
-		instance = deserializer(instance, class)
-		seen[instance_idx] = instance
+		deserializer(instance, class)
 		return instance
 	elseif t == 243 then
 		--reference
diff --git a/spec/bitser_spec.lua b/spec/bitser_spec.lua
index cc415c4..1c3c3a2 100644
--- a/spec/bitser_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/bitser_spec.lua
@@ -328,30 +328,29 @@ describe("bitser", function()
 	it("is able to deserialize the same instance twice", function()
 		local class = {}
 		local instance = setmetatable({}, class)
-		local deserialize = function(_, _)
-			return instance
-		end
+		local deserialize = setmetatable
 
 		bitser.registerClass("class", class, nil, deserialize)
 
 		local loaded_instances = serdeser({instance, instance})
 
-		assert.are.equal(instance, loaded_instances[1], loaded_instances[2])
+		assert.are.equal(loaded_instances[1], loaded_instances[2])
+		assert.are.same(instance, loaded_instances[1])
 
 		bitser.unregisterClass("class")
 	end)
-	it("cannot deserialize an instance nested within itself", function()
+	it("is able to deserialize an instance nested within itself", function()
 		local class = {}
 		local instance = setmetatable({}, class)
-		local deserialize = function(_, _)
-			return instance
-		end
+		local deserialize = setmetatable
 
 		instance.myself = {instance}
 
 		bitser.registerClass("class", class, nil, deserialize)
 
-		assert.has_error(function() serdeser(instance) end, "trying to deserialize a value that has not yet been initialized")
+		local loaded_instance = serdeser(instance)
+		assert.are.equal(loaded_instance, loaded_instance.myself[1])
+		assert.are.same(instance, loaded_instance)
 
 		bitser.unregisterClass("class")
 	end)