diff --git a/django/core/handlers/base.py b/django/core/handlers/base.py
index 3f3bf44075..f1b69c59c2 100644
--- a/django/core/handlers/base.py
+++ b/django/core/handlers/base.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class BaseHandler(object):
                 continue
 
             if hasattr(mw_instance, 'process_request'):
-                self._request_middleware.append(mw_instance.process_request)
+                request_middleware.append(mw_instance.process_request)
             if hasattr(mw_instance, 'process_view'):
                 self._view_middleware.append(mw_instance.process_view)
             if hasattr(mw_instance, 'process_response'):