diff --git a/djangorestframework/authentication.py b/djangorestframework/authentication.py
index f46a9c460..f2558e22e 100644
--- a/djangorestframework/authentication.py
+++ b/djangorestframework/authentication.py
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ class BasicAuthentication(BaseAuthentication):
 
                 user = authenticate(username=uname, password=passwd)
                 if user is not None and user.is_active:
+                    request.user = user
                     return user
         return None