diff --git a/rest_framework/filters.py b/rest_framework/filters.py
index 96d15eb9d..57a616c24 100644
--- a/rest_framework/filters.py
+++ b/rest_framework/filters.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class DjangoFilterBackend(BaseFilterBackend):
         if filter_class:
             filter_model = filter_class.Meta.model
 
-            assert issubclass(filter_model, queryset.model), \
+            assert issubclass(queryset.model, filter_model), \
                 'FilterSet model %s does not match queryset model %s' % \
                 (filter_model, queryset.model)
 
diff --git a/tests/models.py b/tests/models.py
index fba3f8f7c..e378c1cfe 100644
--- a/tests/models.py
+++ b/tests/models.py
@@ -60,6 +60,18 @@ class ReadOnlyManyToManyModel(RESTFrameworkModel):
     rel = models.ManyToManyField(Anchor)
 
 
+class BaseFilterableItem(RESTFrameworkModel):
+    text = models.CharField(max_length=100)
+
+    class Meta:
+        abstract = True
+
+
+class FilterableItem(BaseFilterableItem):
+    decimal = models.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=2)
+    date = models.DateField()
+
+
 # Model for regression test for #285
 
 class Comment(RESTFrameworkModel):
diff --git a/tests/test_filters.py b/tests/test_filters.py
index 85840e018..38ddf4e43 100644
--- a/tests/test_filters.py
+++ b/tests/test_filters.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from django.conf.urls import patterns, url
 from rest_framework import generics, serializers, status, filters
 from rest_framework.compat import django_filters
 from rest_framework.test import APIRequestFactory
-from .models import FilterableItem, BasicModel
+from .models import BaseFilterableItem, FilterableItem, BasicModel
 from .utils import temporary_setting
 
 factory = APIRequestFactory()
@@ -55,6 +55,18 @@ if django_filters:
         filter_class = SeveralFieldsFilter
         filter_backends = (filters.DjangoFilterBackend,)
 
+    # These classes are used to test base model filter support
+    class BaseFilterableItemFilter(django_filters.FilterSet):
+        text = django_filters.CharFilter()
+
+        class Meta:
+            model = BaseFilterableItem
+
+    class BaseFilterableItemFilterRootView(generics.ListCreateAPIView):
+        model = FilterableItem
+        filter_class = BaseFilterableItemFilter
+        filter_backends = (filters.DjangoFilterBackend,)
+
     # Regression test for #814
     class FilterableItemSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
         class Meta:
@@ -225,6 +237,18 @@ class IntegrationTestFiltering(CommonFilteringTestCase):
         request = factory.get('/')
         self.assertRaises(AssertionError, view, request)
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(django_filters, 'django-filter not installed')
+    def test_base_model_filter(self):
+        """
+        The `get_filter_class` model checks should allow base model filters.
+        """
+        view = BaseFilterableItemFilterRootView.as_view()
+
+        request = factory.get('/?text=aaa')
+        response = view(request).render()
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        self.assertEqual(len(response.data), 1)
+
     @unittest.skipUnless(django_filters, 'django-filter not installed')
     def test_unknown_filter(self):
         """