diff --git a/addons/portal/mail_mail.py b/addons/portal/mail_mail.py
index 813e31545e8..72c8469c042 100644
--- a/addons/portal/mail_mail.py
+++ b/addons/portal/mail_mail.py
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ class mail_mail_portal(osv.Model):
     _name = 'mail.mail'
     _inherit = ['mail.mail']
 
-    def _generate_portal_url(self, cr, uid, partner_id, portal_group_id, key, context=None):
-        """ . """
+    def _generate_signin_url(self, cr, uid, partner_id, portal_group_id, key, context=None):
+        """ Generate the signin url """
         base_url = self.pool.get('ir.config_parameter').get_param(cr, uid, 'web.base.url', default='', context=context)
         return base_url + '/login?action=signin&partner_id=%s&group=%s&key=%s' % (partner_id, portal_group_id, key)
 
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class mail_mail_portal(osv.Model):
         if partner:
             portal_ref = self.pool.get('ir.model.data').get_object_reference(cr, uid, 'portal', 'portal')
             portal_id = portal_ref and portal_ref[1] or False
-            url = self._generate_portal_url(cr, uid, partner.id, portal_id, 1234, context=context)
+            url = self._generate_signin_url(cr, uid, partner.id, portal_id, 1234, context=context)
             body = tools.append_content_to_html(mail.body_html, url)
             return body
         else:
diff --git a/addons/portal/tests/test_portal.py b/addons/portal/tests/test_portal.py
index 1f709ed3fa9..2c301228859 100644
--- a/addons/portal/tests/test_portal.py
+++ b/addons/portal/tests/test_portal.py
@@ -51,12 +51,19 @@ class test_portal(test_mail.TestMailMockups):
         p_b_id = self.res_partner.create(cr, uid, {'name': 'Bert Tartopoils', 'email': 'b@b'})
 
         # ----------------------------------------
-        # CASE1: invite Bert
+        # CASE1: generated URL
+        # ----------------------------------------
+
+        url = self.mail_mail._generate_signin_url(cr, uid, p_b_id, portal_id, 1234)
+        self.assertEqual(url,  base_url + '/login?action=signin&partner_id=%s&group=%s&key=%s' % (p_b_id, portal_id, 1234),
+            'generated signin URL incorrect')
+
+        # ----------------------------------------
+        # CASE2: invite Bert
         # ----------------------------------------
 
         _sent_email_subject = 'Invitation to follow Pigs'
-        _sent_email_body = append_content_to_html('<div>You have been invited to follow Pigs.</div>',
-            base_url + '/login?action=signin&partner_id=%s&group=%s&key=%s' % (p_b_id, portal_id, 1234))
+        _sent_email_body = append_content_to_html('<div>You have been invited to follow Pigs.</div>', url)
 
         # Do: create a mail_wizard_invite, validate it
         self._init_mock_build_email()