Quantum　computation　has　achieved　a　tremendous　success　during　the　last　decades.　In　this　paper,　we　investigate　the　potential　application　of　a　famous　quantum　computation　model,　i.e.,　quantum　walks　(QW)　in　image　encryption.　It　is　found　that　QW　can　serve　as　an　excellent　key　generator　thanks　to　its　inherent　nonlinear　chaotic　dynamic　behavior.　Furthermore,　we　construct　a　novel　QW-based　image　encryption　algorithm.　Simulations　and　performance　comparisons　show　that　the　proposal　is　secure　enough　for　image　encryption　and　outperforms　prior　works.　It　also　opens　the　door　towards　introducing　quantum　computation　into　image　encryption　and　promotes　the　convergence　between　quantum　computation　and　image　processing.