diff --git a/gluon/dal.py b/gluon/dal.py
index e7978e6b..a4f4a87d 100644
--- a/gluon/dal.py
+++ b/gluon/dal.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from pydal import DAL as DAL
 from pydal import Field
 from pydal.objects import Row, Rows, Table, Query, Expression
 from pydal import SQLCustomType, geoPoint, geoLine, geoPolygon
-import copy_reg as copyreg
+
 
 def _default_validators(db, field):
     """
@@ -81,12 +81,12 @@ def _default_validators(db, field):
         requires[0] = validators.IS_EMPTY_OR(requires[0])
     return requires
 
-from gluon import serializers as w2p_serializers
+from gluon.serializers import custom_json, xml
 from gluon.utils import web2py_uuid
 from gluon import sqlhtml
 
 
-DAL.serializers = w2p_serializers
+DAL.serializers = {'json': custom_json, 'xml': xml}
 DAL.validators_method = _default_validators
 DAL.uuid = lambda x: web2py_uuid()
 DAL.representers = {
diff --git a/gluon/tests/test_dal.py b/gluon/tests/test_dal.py
index ffbd6e15..35c9c9b9 100644
--- a/gluon/tests/test_dal.py
+++ b/gluon/tests/test_dal.py
@@ -15,10 +15,11 @@ from gluon.dal import DAL, Field
 
 class TestDALSubclass(unittest.TestCase):
     def testRun(self):
-        import gluon.serializers as mserializers
+        from gluon.serializers import custom_json, xml
         from gluon import sqlhtml
         db = DAL(check_reserved=['all'])
-        self.assertEqual(db.serializers, mserializers)
+        self.assertEqual(db.serializers['json'], custom_json)
+        self.assertEqual(db.serializers['xml'], xml)
         self.assertEqual(db.representers['rows_render'], sqlhtml.represent)
         self.assertEqual(db.representers['rows_xml'], sqlhtml.SQLTABLE)