diff --git a/lib/connection.js b/lib/connection.js
index 2f847bffc2f..a6754208061 100644
--- a/lib/connection.js
+++ b/lib/connection.js
@@ -1229,6 +1229,14 @@ Connection.prototype.model = function(name, schema, collection, options) {
     // do not cache the sub model
     return sub;
   }
+  
+  if (arguments.length === 1) {
+    model = this.models[name];
+    if (!model) {
+      throw new MongooseError.MissingSchemaError(name);
+    }
+    return model;
+  }
 
   if (!model) {
     throw new MongooseError.MissingSchemaError(name);