diff --git a/scm-core/src/main/java/sonia/scm/BasicContextProvider.java b/scm-core/src/main/java/sonia/scm/BasicContextProvider.java
index 6bf11380bd..2ed9c2af01 100644
--- a/scm-core/src/main/java/sonia/scm/BasicContextProvider.java
+++ b/scm-core/src/main/java/sonia/scm/BasicContextProvider.java
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ package sonia.scm;
 
 //~--- non-JDK imports --------------------------------------------------------
 
+import sonia.scm.util.IOUtil;
 import sonia.scm.util.Util;
 
 //~--- JDK imports ------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -65,6 +66,9 @@ public class BasicContextProvider implements SCMContextProvider
   /** Java system property for the SCM-Manager base directory */
   public static final String DIRECTORY_PROPERTY = "scm.home";
 
+  /** Classpath resource for the SCM-Manager base directory */
+  public static final String DIRECTORY_RESOURCE = "/scm.properties";
+
   /** Path to the maven properties file of the scm-core artifact */
   public static final String MAVEN_PROPERTIES =
     "/META-INF/maven/sonia.scm/scm-core/pom.properties";
@@ -139,16 +143,21 @@ public class BasicContextProvider implements SCMContextProvider
    */
   private File findBaseDirectory()
   {
-    String path = System.getProperty(DIRECTORY_PROPERTY);
+    String path = getPathFromResource();
 
     if (Util.isEmpty(path))
     {
-      path = System.getenv(DIRECTORY_ENVIRONMENT);
+      path = System.getProperty(DIRECTORY_PROPERTY);
 
       if (Util.isEmpty(path))
       {
-        path = System.getProperty("user.home").concat(File.separator).concat(
-          DIRECTORY_DEFAULT);
+        path = System.getenv(DIRECTORY_ENVIRONMENT);
+
+        if (Util.isEmpty(path))
+        {
+          path = System.getProperty("user.home").concat(File.separator).concat(
+            DIRECTORY_DEFAULT);
+        }
       }
     }
 
@@ -189,6 +198,46 @@ public class BasicContextProvider implements SCMContextProvider
     return properties.getProperty(MAVEN_PROPERTY_VERSION, DEFAULT_VERSION);
   }
 
+  //~--- get methods ----------------------------------------------------------
+
+  /**
+   * Load path from classpath resource.
+   *
+   *
+   * @return path from classpath resource or null
+   */
+  private String getPathFromResource()
+  {
+    String path = null;
+    InputStream input = null;
+
+    try
+    {
+      input =
+        BasicContextProvider.class.getResourceAsStream(DIRECTORY_RESOURCE);
+
+      if (input != null)
+      {
+        Properties properties = new Properties();
+
+        properties.load(input);
+        path = properties.getProperty(DIRECTORY_PROPERTY);
+      }
+    }
+    catch (IOException ex)
+    {
+      throw new ConfigurationException(
+          "could not load properties form resource ".concat(
+            DIRECTORY_RESOURCE), ex);
+    }
+    finally
+    {
+      IOUtil.close(input);
+    }
+
+    return path;
+  }
+
   //~--- fields ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
   /** The base directory of the SCM-Manager */
diff --git a/scm-webapp/src/main/resources/scm.properties b/scm-webapp/src/main/resources/scm.properties
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1e6d477cde
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scm-webapp/src/main/resources/scm.properties
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2010, Sebastian Sdorra
+# All rights reserved.
+# 
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+# 
+# 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
+#    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+# 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+#    this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+#    and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+# 3. Neither the name of SCM-Manager; nor the names of its
+#    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
+#    software without specific prior written permission.
+# 
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+# AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+# IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+# DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
+# DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
+# (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
+# LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON
+# ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+# (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
+# SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+# 
+# http://bitbucket.org/sdorra/scm-manager
+# 
+
+# path to the SCM-Manager base directory
+# scm.home = /tmp/scm.home
\ No newline at end of file