diff --git a/lib/virtus/instance_methods.rb b/lib/virtus/instance_methods.rb
index 4448bf66..8472bcb8 100644
--- a/lib/virtus/instance_methods.rb
+++ b/lib/virtus/instance_methods.rb
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ def attributes
       def attributes=(attributes)
         attribute_set.set(self, attributes)
       end
+      alias_method :update_attributes, :attributes=
 
     end # MassAssignment
 
diff --git a/spec/integration/mass_assignment_with_accessors_spec.rb b/spec/integration/mass_assignment_with_accessors_spec.rb
index 72e1124e..488b633a 100644
--- a/spec/integration/mass_assignment_with_accessors_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/integration/mass_assignment_with_accessors_spec.rb
@@ -38,6 +38,12 @@ def _id=(value)
     expect(subject.subcategory).to eq('Furniture')
   end
 
+  specify 'can be updated with #update_attributes' do
+    subject.update_attributes({:categories => ['Home', 'Furniture']})
+    expect(subject.category).to eq('Home')
+    expect(subject.subcategory).to eq('Furniture')
+  end
+
   specify 'respects accessor visibility' do
     expect(subject.id).not_to eq(100)
   end