diff --git a/django/utils/functional.py b/django/utils/functional.py
index f19a46aa3a..13aec9cb82 100644
--- a/django/utils/functional.py
+++ b/django/utils/functional.py
@@ -222,6 +222,10 @@ class LazyObject(object):
     By subclassing, you have the opportunity to intercept and alter the
     instantiation. If you don't need to do that, use SimpleLazyObject.
     """
+
+    # Avoid infinite recursion when tracing __init__ (#19456).
+    _wrapped = None
+
     def __init__(self):
         self._wrapped = empty
 
diff --git a/tests/utils_tests/simplelazyobject.py b/tests/utils_tests/simplelazyobject.py
index 3bd6bf1e7f..883e60aa81 100644
--- a/tests/utils_tests/simplelazyobject.py
+++ b/tests/utils_tests/simplelazyobject.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
 import copy
 import pickle
+import sys
 
 from django.utils import six
 from django.utils.unittest import TestCase
@@ -138,3 +139,16 @@ class TestUtilsSimpleLazyObject(TestCase):
         del lazydict['one']
         with self.assertRaises(KeyError):
             lazydict['one']
+
+    def test_trace(self):
+        # See ticket #19456
+        old_trace_func = sys.gettrace()
+        try:
+            def trace_func(frame, event, arg):
+                frame.f_locals['self'].__class__
+                if old_trace_func is not None:
+                    old_trace_func(frame, event, arg)
+            sys.settrace(trace_func)
+            SimpleLazyObject(None)
+        finally:
+            sys.settrace(old_trace_func)