diff --git a/rest_framework/schemas.py b/rest_framework/schemas.py
index 0618e94fd..c9834c64d 100644
--- a/rest_framework/schemas.py
+++ b/rest_framework/schemas.py
@@ -79,6 +79,13 @@ class SchemaGenerator(object):
             view.kwargs = {}
             view.format_kwarg = None
 
+            actions = getattr(callback, 'actions', None)
+            if actions is not None:
+                if method == 'OPTIONS':
+                    view.action = 'metadata'
+                else:
+                    view.action = actions.get(method.lower())
+
             if request is not None:
                 view.request = clone_request(request, method)
                 try:
diff --git a/tests/test_schemas.py b/tests/test_schemas.py
index 81b796c35..c866e09be 100644
--- a/tests/test_schemas.py
+++ b/tests/test_schemas.py
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ class ExampleViewSet(ModelViewSet):
 
     def get_serializer(self, *args, **kwargs):
         assert self.request
+        assert self.action
         return super(ExampleViewSet, self).get_serializer(*args, **kwargs)