3 files changed, 13 insertions, 1 deletions
diff --git a/rest_framework/compat.py b/rest_framework/compat.py
index 6f7447ad..b9d1dae6 100644
--- a/rest_framework/compat.py
+++ b/rest_framework/compat.py
@@ -47,6 +47,12 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     django_filters = None
 
+# guardian is optional
+try:
+    import guardian
+except ImportError:
+    guardian = None
+
 
 # cStringIO only if it's available, otherwise StringIO
 try:
diff --git a/rest_framework/permissions.py b/rest_framework/permissions.py
index 1036663e..6d213ba1 100644
--- a/rest_framework/permissions.py
+++ b/rest_framework/permissions.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import warnings
 
 SAFE_METHODS = ['GET', 'HEAD', 'OPTIONS']
 
-from rest_framework.compat import oauth2_provider_scope, oauth2_constants
+from rest_framework.compat import oauth2_provider_scope, oauth2_constants, guardian
 
 
 class BasePermission(object):
@@ -151,6 +151,11 @@ class DjangoModelPermissionsOrAnonReadOnly(DjangoModelPermissions):
     authenticated_users_only = False
 
 
+class DjangoObjectLevelModelPermissions(DjangoModelPermissions):
+    def __init__(self):
+        assert guardian, 'Using DjangoObjectLevelModelPermissions, but guardian is not installed'
+
+
 class TokenHasReadWriteScope(BasePermission):
     """
     The request is authenticated as a user and the token used has the right scope
diff --git a/rest_framework/tests/test_permissions.py b/rest_framework/tests/test_permissions.py
index e2cca380..d1171cce 100644
--- a/rest_framework/tests/test_permissions.py
+++ b/rest_framework/tests/test_permissions.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from django.db import models
 from django.test import TestCase
 from rest_framework import generics, status, permissions, authentication, HTTP_HEADER_ENCODING
 from rest_framework.test import APIRequestFactory
+from rest_framework.compat import guardian
 import base64
 
 factory = APIRequestFactory()