diff --git a/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepExecution.java b/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepExecution.java
index 96fa8a4fc..7b410efd0 100644
--- a/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepExecution.java
+++ b/spring-batch-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/core/StepExecution.java
@@ -102,6 +102,21 @@ public class StepExecution extends Entity {
 		this.jobExecution = jobExecution;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Constructor that requires only a stepName.  Intended only to be
+	 * used via serialization libraries to address the circular
+	 * reference between {@link JobExecution} and StepExecution.
+	 *
+	 * @param stepName the name of the executed step
+	 */
+	@SuppressWarnings("unused")
+	private StepExecution(String stepName) {
+		super();
+		Assert.hasLength(stepName);
+		this.stepName = stepName;
+		this.jobExecution = null;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Returns the {@link ExecutionContext} for this execution
 	 *