diff --git a/lib/rails_admin/abstract_model.rb b/lib/rails_admin/abstract_model.rb
index ddb9c9a139..2401a9ed68 100644
--- a/lib/rails_admin/abstract_model.rb
+++ b/lib/rails_admin/abstract_model.rb
@@ -29,12 +29,15 @@ def self.all_models
 
     # Given a string +model_name+, finds the corresponding model class
     def self.lookup(model_name)
-      begin
-        (model = model_name.constantize rescue nil) && model.is_a?(Class) && (superclasses(model).include?(ActiveRecord::Base) ? model : nil) || nil
-      rescue LoadError
-        Rails.logger.error "Error while loading '#{model_name}': #{$!}"
+      model = model_name.constantize rescue nil
+      if model && model.is_a?(Class) && superclasses(model).include?(ActiveRecord::Base) && !model.abstract_class?
+        model
+      else
         nil
       end
+    rescue LoadError
+      Rails.logger.error "Error while loading '#{model_name}': #{$!}"
+      nil
     end
 
     def initialize(model)
diff --git a/spec/dummy_app/app/models/abstract.rb b/spec/dummy_app/app/models/abstract.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..54c5fa21d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/dummy_app/app/models/abstract.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+class Abstract < ActiveRecord::Base
+  
+  self.abstract_class = true
+
+end