1 files changed, 22 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/tests/modeladmin/test_checks.py b/tests/modeladmin/test_checks.py
index fbd63abfbf..c493148eb9 100644
--- a/tests/modeladmin/test_checks.py
+++ b/tests/modeladmin/test_checks.py
@@ -1724,6 +1724,28 @@ class AutocompleteFieldsTests(CheckTestCase):
             invalid_obj=Admin,
         )
 
+    @isolate_apps("modeladmin")
+    def test_autocomplete_e039_unresolved_model(self):
+        class UnresolvedForeignKeyModel(models.Model):
+            unresolved = models.ForeignKey("missing.Model", models.CASCADE)
+
+            class Meta:
+                app_label = "modeladmin"
+
+        class Admin(ModelAdmin):
+            autocomplete_fields = ("unresolved",)
+
+        self.assertIsInvalid(
+            Admin,
+            UnresolvedForeignKeyModel,
+            msg=(
+                'An admin for model "missing.Model" has to be registered '
+                "to be referenced by Admin.autocomplete_fields."
+            ),
+            id="admin.E039",
+            invalid_obj=Admin,
+        )
+
     def test_autocomplete_e040(self):
         class NoSearchFieldsAdmin(ModelAdmin):
             pass