diff --git a/rest_framework/authtoken/models.py b/rest_framework/authtoken/models.py
index f8a871bf1..3fb189251 100644
--- a/rest_framework/authtoken/models.py
+++ b/rest_framework/authtoken/models.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class Token(models.Model):
             self.key = self.generate_key()
         return super().save(*args, **kwargs)
 
+    @classmethod
     def generate_key(self):
         return binascii.hexlify(os.urandom(20)).decode()
 
diff --git a/tests/authentication/test_authentication.py b/tests/authentication/test_authentication.py
index 4760ea319..e872fa744 100644
--- a/tests/authentication/test_authentication.py
+++ b/tests/authentication/test_authentication.py
@@ -397,6 +397,10 @@ class TokenAuthTests(BaseTokenAuthTests, TestCase):
         key = token.generate_key()
         assert isinstance(key, str)
 
+    def test_generate_key_accessible_as_classmethod(self):
+        key = self.model.generate_key()
+        assert isinstance(key, str)
+
     def test_token_login_json(self):
         """Ensure token login view using JSON POST works."""
         client = APIClient(enforce_csrf_checks=True)