diff --git a/lib/models/user.js b/lib/models/user.js
index f3bd91f2..500f0cc0 100644
--- a/lib/models/user.js
+++ b/lib/models/user.js
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ User.setup = function () {
   
   UserModel.setter.password = function (plain) {
     var salt = bcrypt.genSaltSync(this.constructor.settings.saltWorkFactor || SALT_WORK_FACTOR);
-    this._password = bcrypt.hashSync(plain, salt);
+    this.$password = bcrypt.hashSync(plain, salt);
   }
   
   loopback.remoteMethod(