diff --git a/python/ray/dataframe/dataframe.py b/python/ray/dataframe/dataframe.py
index 41924d801..a178997b0 100644
--- a/python/ray/dataframe/dataframe.py
+++ b/python/ray/dataframe/dataframe.py
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ class DataFrame(object):
             col_metadata (_IndexMetadata):
                 Metadata for the new dataframe's columns
         """
+        if isinstance(data, DataFrame):
+            self._frame_data = data._frame_data
+            return
+
         self._dtypes_cache = dtypes_cache
 
         # Check type of data and use appropriate constructor
@@ -167,6 +171,27 @@ class DataFrame(object):
         if self._dtypes_cache is None:
             self._correct_dtypes()
 
+    def _get_frame_data(self):
+        data = {}
+        data['blocks'] = self._block_partitions
+        data['col_metadata'] = self._col_metadata
+        data['row_metadata'] = self._row_metadata
+        data['columns'] = self.columns
+        data['index'] = self.index
+        data['dtypes'] = self._dtypes_cache
+
+        return data
+
+    def _set_frame_data(self, data):
+        self._block_partitions = data['blocks']
+        self._col_metadata = data['col_metadata']
+        self._row_metadata = data['row_metadata']
+        self.columns = data['columns']
+        self.index = data['index']
+        self._dtypes_cache = data['dtypes']
+
+    _frame_data = property(_get_frame_data, _set_frame_data)
+
     def _get_row_partitions(self):
         return [_blocks_to_row.remote(*part)
                 for part in self._block_partitions]