diff --git a/src/Illuminate/Database/Eloquent/Concerns/HasTimestamps.php b/src/Illuminate/Database/Eloquent/Concerns/HasTimestamps.php
index 13ebd31744cd..add911ae8619 100644
--- a/src/Illuminate/Database/Eloquent/Concerns/HasTimestamps.php
+++ b/src/Illuminate/Database/Eloquent/Concerns/HasTimestamps.php
@@ -16,10 +16,17 @@ trait HasTimestamps
     /**
      * Update the model's update timestamp.
      *
+     * @param  string|null  $attribute
      * @return bool
      */
-    public function touch()
+    public function touch($attribute = null)
     {
+        if ($attribute) {
+            $this->$attribute = $this->freshTimestamp();
+
+            return $this->save();
+        }
+
         if (! $this->usesTimestamps()) {
             return false;
         }