diff --git a/lib/couchrest/model/base.rb b/lib/couchrest/model/base.rb
index ed46699e..40cb9682 100644
--- a/lib/couchrest/model/base.rb
+++ b/lib/couchrest/model/base.rb
@@ -82,6 +82,21 @@ def self.method_missing(m, *args, &block)
         super
       end
 
+      # compatbility for 1.8, it does not use respond_to_missing?
+      # thing is, when using it like this only, doing method(:find_by_view)
+      # will throw an error
+      def self.respond_to?(m, include_private = false)
+        super || respond_to_missing?(m, include_private)
+      end
+
+      # ruby 1.9 feature
+      # this allows ruby to know that the method is defined using
+      # method_missing, and as such, method(:find_by_view) will actually
+      # give a Method back, and not throw an error like in 1.8!
+      def self.respond_to_missing?(m, include_private = false)
+        has_view?(m) || has_view?(m.to_s[/^find_(by_.+)/, 1])
+      end
+
       def to_key
         new? ? nil : [id]
       end
diff --git a/spec/unit/view_spec.rb b/spec/unit/view_spec.rb
index b58e037c..d69630ca 100644
--- a/spec/unit/view_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/view_spec.rb
@@ -173,7 +173,22 @@ def self.database
     end
 
   end
-  
+
+  describe "#method_missing for find_by methods" do
+    before(:all) { reset_test_db! }
+
+    specify { Course.should respond_to :find_by_title_and_active }
+    specify { Course.should respond_to :by_title }
+
+    specify "#method should work in ruby 1.9, but not 1.8" do
+      if RUBY_VERSION >= "1.9"
+        Course.method(:find_by_title_and_active).should be_a Method
+      else
+        expect { Course.method(:find_by_title_and_active) }.to raise_error(NameError)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
   describe "a ducktype view" do
     before(:all) do
       reset_test_db!