diff --git a/src/Calendar.jsx b/src/Calendar.jsx
index 9f1ddcc2..4679c80f 100644
--- a/src/Calendar.jsx
+++ b/src/Calendar.jsx
@@ -202,9 +202,6 @@ const Calendar = createReactClass({
       showTimePicker: false,
     });
   },
-  saveDateInput(dateInput) {
-    this.dateInputInstance = dateInput;
-  },
   render() {
     const props = this.props;
     const {
@@ -230,7 +227,6 @@ const Calendar = createReactClass({
     }) : null;
     const dateInputElement = props.showDateInput ? (
       <DateInput
-        ref={this.saveDateInput}
         format={this.getFormat()}
         key="date-input"
         value={value}