diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php
index 67d06e912b..f48113b29d 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Field/Plugin/Field/FieldType/EntityReferenceItem.php
@@ -289,7 +289,9 @@ public function preSave() {
       // Make sure the parent knows we are updating this property so it can
       // react properly.
       $this->target_id = $this->entity->id();
-      $this->target_revision_id = $this->entity->getRevisionId();
+      if ($this->getSetting('reference_revisions')) {
+        $this->target_revision_id = $this->entity->getRevisionId();
+      }
     }
     if (!$this->isEmpty() && $this->target_id === NULL) {
       $this->target_id = $this->entity->id();