diff --git a/django/core/management.py b/django/core/management.py
index d0d4495e5d..830d585d1a 100644
--- a/django/core/management.py
+++ b/django/core/management.py
@@ -814,6 +814,12 @@ def createcachetable(tablename):
     db.db.commit()
 createcachetable.args = "[tablename]"
 
+def run_shell():
+    "Runs a Python interactive interpreter"
+    import code
+    code.interact()
+run_shell.args = ''
+
 # Utilities for command-line script
 
 DEFAULT_ACTION_MAPPING = {
@@ -826,6 +832,7 @@ DEFAULT_ACTION_MAPPING = {
     'install': install,
     'installperms': installperms,
     'runserver': runserver,
+    'shell': run_shell,
     'sql': get_sql_create,
     'sqlall': get_sql_all,
     'sqlclear': get_sql_delete,
@@ -906,7 +913,7 @@ def execute_from_command_line(action_mapping=DEFAULT_ACTION_MAPPING):
                 sys.exit(1)
         else:
             action_mapping[action](username, email, password)
-    elif action in ('init', 'validate'):
+    elif action in ('init', 'shell', 'validate'):
         action_mapping[action]()
     elif action == 'inspectdb':
         try: