diff --git a/lib/schema/array.js b/lib/schema/array.js
index c113cb6bec8..93d26741d32 100644
--- a/lib/schema/array.js
+++ b/lib/schema/array.js
@@ -60,6 +60,10 @@ function SchemaArray(key, cast, options, schemaOptions) {
       }
     }
 
+    if (options != null && options.ref != null && castOptions.ref == null) {
+      castOptions.ref = options.ref;
+    }
+
     if (cast === Object) {
       cast = Mixed;
     }