diff --git a/Lib/test/test_descr.py b/Lib/test/test_descr.py
index cef7d476e13..e9a50574751 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_descr.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_descr.py
@@ -1198,6 +1198,15 @@ order (MRO) for bases """
         # This used to crash
         self.assertRaises(TypeError, MyABC.a.__set__, u, 3)
 
+    def test_metaclass_cmp(self):
+        # See bug 7491.
+        class M(type):
+            def __cmp__(self, other):
+                return -1
+        class X(object):
+            __metaclass__ = M
+        self.assertTrue(X < M)
+
     def test_dynamics(self):
         # Testing class attribute propagation...
         class D(object):
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 80a82bfbfd8..d9cb038f819 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ What's New in Python 2.6.5
 Core and Builtins
 -----------------
 
+- Issue #7491: Metaclass's __cmp__ method was ignored.
+
 - Add Py3k warnings for parameter names in parenthesis.
 
 - Issue #7362: Give a proper error message for def f((x)=3): pass.
diff --git a/Objects/typeobject.c b/Objects/typeobject.c
index 7e48172fecf..a537b2bee8c 100644
--- a/Objects/typeobject.c
+++ b/Objects/typeobject.c
@@ -645,7 +645,11 @@ type_richcompare(PyObject *v, PyObject *w, int op)
 	int c;
 
 	/* Make sure both arguments are types. */
-	if (!PyType_Check(v) || !PyType_Check(w)) {
+	if (!PyType_Check(v) || !PyType_Check(w) ||
+	    /* If there is a __cmp__ method defined, let it be called instead
+	       of our dumb function designed merely to warn.  See bug
+	       #7491. */
+	    Py_TYPE(v)->tp_compare || Py_TYPE(w)->tp_compare) {
 		result = Py_NotImplemented;
 		goto out;
 	}