diff --git a/django/contrib/admin/options.py b/django/contrib/admin/options.py
index b475868598..805868306d 100644
--- a/django/contrib/admin/options.py
+++ b/django/contrib/admin/options.py
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ class BaseModelAdmin(six.with_metaclass(RenameBaseModelAdminMethods)):
         validator.validate(cls, model)
 
     def __init__(self):
+        self._orig_formfield_overrides = self.formfield_overrides
         overrides = FORMFIELD_FOR_DBFIELD_DEFAULTS.copy()
         overrides.update(self.formfield_overrides)
         self.formfield_overrides = overrides
@@ -123,6 +124,9 @@ class BaseModelAdmin(six.with_metaclass(RenameBaseModelAdminMethods)):
         # If the field specifies choices, we don't need to look for special
         # admin widgets - we just need to use a select widget of some kind.
         if db_field.choices:
+            # see #19303 for an explanation of self._orig_formfield_overrides
+            if db_field.__class__ in self._orig_formfield_overrides:
+                kwargs = dict(self._orig_formfield_overrides[db_field.__class__], **kwargs)
             return self.formfield_for_choice_field(db_field, request, **kwargs)
 
         # ForeignKey or ManyToManyFields
diff --git a/tests/admin_widgets/tests.py b/tests/admin_widgets/tests.py
index d2ecf46358..7d2f70f69b 100644
--- a/tests/admin_widgets/tests.py
+++ b/tests/admin_widgets/tests.py
@@ -132,6 +132,23 @@ class AdminFormfieldForDBFieldTests(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(f2.widget.attrs['maxlength'], '20')
         self.assertEqual(f2.widget.attrs['size'], '10')
 
+    def testFormfieldOverridesWidgetInstancesForFieldsWithChoices(self):
+        """
+        Test that widget is actually overridden for fields with choices.
+        (#194303)
+        """
+        class MemberAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
+            formfield_overrides = {
+                CharField: {'widget': forms.TextInput}
+            }
+        ma = MemberAdmin(models.Member, admin.site)
+        name_field = models.Member._meta.get_field('name')
+        gender_field = models.Member._meta.get_field('gender')
+        name = ma.formfield_for_dbfield(name_field, request=None)
+        gender = ma.formfield_for_dbfield(gender_field, request=None)
+        self.assertIsInstance(name.widget, forms.TextInput)
+        self.assertIsInstance(gender.widget, forms.TextInput)
+
     def testFieldWithChoices(self):
         self.assertFormfield(models.Member, 'gender', forms.Select)