diff --git a/rest_framework/permissions.py b/rest_framework/permissions.py
index 306f00ca2..5a20ec1cc 100644
--- a/rest_framework/permissions.py
+++ b/rest_framework/permissions.py
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class DjangoModelPermissions(BasePermission):
 
         perms = self.get_required_permissions(request.method, model_cls)
 
-        if (request.user and
+        if not perms or (request.user and
             request.user.is_authenticated() and
             request.user.has_perms(perms)):
             return True