diff --git a/django/db/models/options.py b/django/db/models/options.py
index ff0d112d16..0702655c2a 100644
--- a/django/db/models/options.py
+++ b/django/db/models/options.py
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ class Options(object):
         del self.meta
 
     def _prepare(self, model):
+        from django.db import backend
+        from django.db.backends.util import truncate_name
         if self.order_with_respect_to:
             self.order_with_respect_to = self.get_field(self.order_with_respect_to)
             self.ordering = ('_order',)
@@ -73,6 +75,8 @@ class Options(object):
         # If the db_table wasn't provided, use the app_label + module_name.
         if not self.db_table:
             self.db_table = "%s_%s" % (self.app_label, self.module_name)
+            self.db_table = truncate_name(self.db_table,
+                                          backend.get_max_name_length)
 
     def add_field(self, field):
         # Insert the given field in the order in which it was created, using