diff --git a/rest_framework/exceptions.py b/rest_framework/exceptions.py
index 1597da612..2461cacdf 100644
--- a/rest_framework/exceptions.py
+++ b/rest_framework/exceptions.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class ParseError(APIException):
 
 
 class Unauthenticated(APIException):
-    status_code = status.HTTP_401_UNAUTHENTICATED
+    status_code = status.HTTP_401_UNAUTHORIZED
     default_detail = 'Incorrect or absent authentication credentials.'
 
     def __init__(self, detail=None):