diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index 4c586950e..a40b88b00 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from django.db import models
 from django.forms import widgets
 from django.utils.datastructures import SortedDict
 from rest_framework.compat import get_concrete_model
+from rest_framework.settings import api_settings
 
 # Note: We do the following so that users of the framework can use this style:
 #
@@ -360,7 +361,7 @@ class ModelSerializerOptions(SerializerOptions):
         super(ModelSerializerOptions, self).__init__(meta)
         self.model = getattr(meta, 'model', None)
         self.read_only_fields = getattr(meta, 'read_only_fields', ())
-        self.include_reverse_relations = getattr(meta, 'include_reverse_relations', False)
+        self.include_reverse_relations = getattr(meta, 'include_reverse_relations', api_settings.INCLUDE_REVERSE_RELATIONS)
 
 
 class ModelSerializer(Serializer):
diff --git a/rest_framework/settings.py b/rest_framework/settings.py
index 5c77c55cd..2453f8400 100644
--- a/rest_framework/settings.py
+++ b/rest_framework/settings.py
@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ DEFAULTS = {
         'anon': None,
     },
 
+    # ModelSerializer
+    'INCLUDE_REVERSE_RELATIONS': False,
+
     # Pagination
     'PAGINATE_BY': None,
     'PAGINATE_BY_PARAM': None,