diff --git a/rest_framework/compat.py b/rest_framework/compat.py
index c1074b7f8b2..b348f05a9ca 100644
--- a/rest_framework/compat.py
+++ b/rest_framework/compat.py
@@ -127,14 +127,6 @@ def clean_manytomany_helptext(text):
     pass
 
 
-def get_model_name(model_cls):
-    try:
-        return model_cls._meta.model_name
-    except AttributeError:
-        # < 1.6 used module_name instead of model_name
-        return model_cls._meta.module_name
-
-
 # MinValueValidator, MaxValueValidator et al. only accept `message` in 1.8+
 if django.VERSION >= (1, 8):
     from django.core.validators import MinValueValidator, MaxValueValidator
diff --git a/rest_framework/filters.py b/rest_framework/filters.py
index 90c19aba087..c1e0ae054a1 100644
--- a/rest_framework/filters.py
+++ b/rest_framework/filters.py
@@ -11,9 +11,7 @@
 from django.db import models
 from django.utils import six
 
-from rest_framework.compat import (
-    distinct, django_filters, get_model_name, guardian
-)
+from rest_framework.compat import distinct, django_filters, guardian
 from rest_framework.settings import api_settings
 
 FilterSet = django_filters and django_filters.FilterSet or None
@@ -202,7 +200,7 @@ def filter_queryset(self, request, queryset, view):
         model_cls = queryset.model
         kwargs = {
             'app_label': model_cls._meta.app_label,
-            'model_name': get_model_name(model_cls)
+            'model_name': model_cls._meta.model_name
         }
         permission = self.perm_format % kwargs
         if guardian.VERSION >= (1, 3):
diff --git a/rest_framework/permissions.py b/rest_framework/permissions.py
index 628538903a2..292952cfabb 100644
--- a/rest_framework/permissions.py
+++ b/rest_framework/permissions.py
@@ -5,8 +5,6 @@
 
 from django.http import Http404
 
-from rest_framework.compat import get_model_name
-
 SAFE_METHODS = ('GET', 'HEAD', 'OPTIONS')
 
 
@@ -104,7 +102,7 @@ def get_required_permissions(self, method, model_cls):
         """
         kwargs = {
             'app_label': model_cls._meta.app_label,
-            'model_name': get_model_name(model_cls)
+            'model_name': model_cls._meta.model_name
         }
         return [perm % kwargs for perm in self.perms_map[method]]
 
@@ -166,7 +164,7 @@ class DjangoObjectPermissions(DjangoModelPermissions):
     def get_required_object_permissions(self, method, model_cls):
         kwargs = {
             'app_label': model_cls._meta.app_label,
-            'model_name': get_model_name(model_cls)
+            'model_name': model_cls._meta.model_name
         }
         return [perm % kwargs for perm in self.perms_map[method]]