diff --git a/rest_framework/compat.py b/rest_framework/compat.py
index a19bd778b..3e9de407d 100644
--- a/rest_framework/compat.py
+++ b/rest_framework/compat.py
@@ -82,11 +82,8 @@ def get_concrete_model(model_cls):
 
 # Django 1.5 add support for custom auth user model
 if django.VERSION >= (1, 5):
-    from django.conf import settings
-    if hasattr(settings, 'AUTH_USER_MODEL'):
-        User = settings.AUTH_USER_MODEL
-    else:
-        from django.contrib.auth.models import User
+    from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
+    User = get_user_model()
 else:
     try:
         from django.contrib.auth.models import User