diff --git a/simple_history/models.py b/simple_history/models.py
index 325f8f5eb..99f7bb386 100644
--- a/simple_history/models.py
+++ b/simple_history/models.py
@@ -91,10 +91,14 @@ def save_without_historical_record(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
     def finalize(self, sender, **kwargs):
         try:
-            if not issubclass(sender, self.cls):
-                return
+            hint_class = self.cls
         except AttributeError:  # called via `register`
             pass
+        else:
+            if not hint_class is sender:  # set in concrete
+                if not (hint_class._meta.abstract
+                        and issubclass(sender, hint_class)):  # set in abstract
+                    return
         history_model = self.create_history_model(sender)
         module = importlib.import_module(self.module)
         setattr(module, history_model.__name__, history_model)