diff --git a/cqlengine/models.py b/cqlengine/models.py
index 143320a3..ced3a3fa 100644
--- a/cqlengine/models.py
+++ b/cqlengine/models.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class ConsistencyDescriptor(object):
     def __get__(self, instance, model):
         if instance:
             def consistency_setter(consistency):
-                instance._consistency = consistency
+                instance.__consistency__ = consistency
                 return instance
             return consistency_setter
 
@@ -416,7 +416,10 @@ class BaseModel(object):
 
         is_new = self.pk is None
         self.validate()
-        self.__dmlquery__(self.__class__, self, batch=self._batch, ttl=self._ttl).save()
+        self.__dmlquery__(self.__class__, self,
+                          batch=self._batch,
+                          ttl=self._ttl,
+                          consistency=self.__consistency__).save()
 
         #reset the value managers
         for v in self._values.values():
@@ -450,7 +453,7 @@ class BaseModel(object):
         self.__dmlquery__(self.__class__, self,
                           batch=self._batch,
                           ttl=self._ttl,
-                          consistency=self.consistency).update()
+                          consistency=self.__consistency__).update()
 
         #reset the value managers
         for v in self._values.values():
diff --git a/cqlengine/tests/test_consistency.py b/cqlengine/tests/test_consistency.py
index 7ab49d78..ec604504 100644
--- a/cqlengine/tests/test_consistency.py
+++ b/cqlengine/tests/test_consistency.py
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ class BaseConsistencyTest(BaseCassEngTestCase):
 class TestConsistency(BaseConsistencyTest):
     def test_create_uses_consistency(self):
 
+        qs = TestConsistencyModel.consistency(ALL)
         with mock.patch.object(ConnectionPool, 'execute') as m:
-            TestConsistencyModel.consistency(ALL).create(text="i am not fault tolerant this way")
+            qs.create(text="i am not fault tolerant this way")
 
         args = m.call_args
         self.assertEqual(ALL, args[0][2])
@@ -38,4 +39,14 @@ class TestConsistency(BaseConsistencyTest):
         qs = TestConsistencyModel.consistency(ALL)
         self.assertTrue(isinstance(qs, TestConsistencyModel.__queryset__), type(qs))
 
+    def test_update_uses_consistency(self):
+        t = TestConsistencyModel.create(text="bacon and eggs")
+        t.text = "ham sandwich"
+
+        with mock.patch.object(ConnectionPool, 'execute') as m:
+            t.consistency(ALL).save()
+            
+        args = m.call_args
+        self.assertEqual(ALL, args[0][2])
+