diff --git a/lib/Cake/View/Helper/FormHelper.php b/lib/Cake/View/Helper/FormHelper.php
index 4b1ec6c1d..5f5585d06 100644
--- a/lib/Cake/View/Helper/FormHelper.php
+++ b/lib/Cake/View/Helper/FormHelper.php
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ class FormHelper extends AppHelper {
 
 		if ($key === 'validates' && !isset($this->fieldset[$model]['validates'])) {
 			$validates = array();
-			if (!empty($object->validate)) {
+			if ($object->validator()->count() > 0) {
 				foreach ($object->validator() as $validateField => $validateProperties) {
 					if ($this->_isRequiredField($validateProperties)) {
 						$validates[$validateField] = true;