diff --git a/mongoengine/django/sessions.py b/mongoengine/django/sessions.py
index 2f0e17fb..d3d2d3b9 100644
--- a/mongoengine/django/sessions.py
+++ b/mongoengine/django/sessions.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class SessionStore(SessionBase):
 
     def create(self):
         while True:
-            self.session_key = self._get_new_session_key()
+            self._session_key = self._get_new_session_key()
             try:
                 self.save(must_create=True)
             except CreateError: