diff --git a/modules/nodereference/nodereference.module b/modules/nodereference/nodereference.module
index 5f49e79..7ff87b4 100644
--- a/modules/nodereference/nodereference.module
+++ b/modules/nodereference/nodereference.module
@@ -861,7 +861,12 @@ function _nodereference_potential_references_views($field, $string = '', $match
 
     // Limit result set size.
     $limit = isset($limit) ? $limit : 0;
-    $view->display_handler->set_option('items_per_page', $limit);
+    if (method_exists($view, 'set_items_per_page')) {
+      $view->set_items_per_page($limit);
+    }
+    else {
+      $view->display_handler->set_option('items_per_page', $limit);
+    }
 
     // Get arguments for the view.
     if (!empty($field['advanced_view_args'])) {
diff --git a/modules/userreference/userreference.module b/modules/userreference/userreference.module
index 2132aaf..ebbbe15 100644
--- a/modules/userreference/userreference.module
+++ b/modules/userreference/userreference.module
@@ -726,7 +726,12 @@ function _userreference_potential_references_views($field, $string = '', $match
 
     // Limit result set size.
     $limit = isset($limit) ? $limit : 0;
-    $view->display_handler->set_option('items_per_page', $limit);
+    if (method_exists($view, 'set_items_per_page')) {
+      $view->set_items_per_page($limit);
+    }
+    else {
+      $view->display_handler->set_option('items_per_page', $limit);
+    }
 
     // Get arguments for the view.
     if (!empty($field['advanced_view_args'])) {