diff --git a/django/core/context_processors.py b/django/core/context_processors.py
index 55c19c17e8..bde3f665d4 100644
--- a/django/core/context_processors.py
+++ b/django/core/context_processors.py
@@ -38,14 +38,11 @@ def debug(request):
     return context_extras
 
 def i18n(request):
+    from django.utils import translation
+
     context_extras = {}
     context_extras['LANGUAGES'] = settings.LANGUAGES
-    if hasattr(request, 'LANGUAGE_CODE'):
-        context_extras['LANGUAGE_CODE'] = request.LANGUAGE_CODE
-    else:
-        context_extras['LANGUAGE_CODE'] = settings.LANGUAGE_CODE
-
-    from django.utils import translation
+    context_extras['LANGUAGE_CODE'] = translation.get_language()
     context_extras['LANGUAGE_BIDI'] = translation.get_language_bidi()
 
     return context_extras