diff --git a/rest_framework/schemas/inspectors.py b/rest_framework/schemas/inspectors.py
index cb880e79d..e027b46a7 100644
--- a/rest_framework/schemas/inspectors.py
+++ b/rest_framework/schemas/inspectors.py
@@ -79,8 +79,9 @@ class ViewInspector:
         view = self.view
 
         method_name = getattr(view, 'action', method.lower())
-        method_docstring = getattr(view, method_name, None).__doc__
-        if method_docstring:
+        method_func = getattr(view, method_name, None)
+        method_docstring = method_func.__doc__
+        if method_func and method_docstring:
             # An explicit docstring on the method or action.
             return self._get_description_section(view, method.lower(), formatting.dedent(smart_str(method_docstring)))
         else: