diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryRemovedEvent.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryRemovedEvent.java
index 261d8588c..11acf9519 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryRemovedEvent.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryRemovedEvent.java
@@ -48,7 +48,14 @@ public class EntryRemovedEvent<T extends DSet.Entry> extends EntryEvent<T>
     {
         super(targetOid, name);
         _key = key;
-        _oldEntry = oldEntry;
+    }
+
+    /** For unserialization. */
+    public EntryRemovedEvent ()
+    {
+        super(0, null);
+        // we can't allow our primary ctor to be called during unserialization, or it will wipe out
+        // the hackery we do with _oldEntry
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryUpdatedEvent.java b/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryUpdatedEvent.java
index a92c49aad..7c2da4493 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryUpdatedEvent.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/threerings/presents/dobj/EntryUpdatedEvent.java
@@ -52,6 +52,14 @@ public class EntryUpdatedEvent<T extends DSet.Entry> extends EntryEvent<T>
         _oldEntry = oldEntry;
     }
 
+    /** For unserialization. */
+    public EntryUpdatedEvent ()
+    {
+        super(0, null);
+        // we can't allow our primary ctor to be called during unserialization, or it will wipe out
+        // the hackery we do with _oldEntry
+    }
+
     @Override
     public Comparable<?> getKey ()
     {