diff --git a/features/helpers_external.feature b/features/helpers_external.feature
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6e6b6f7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/features/helpers_external.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+Feature: Helpers in external files
+
+  Scenario: Hello Helper
+    Given the Server is running at "external-helpers"
+    Then going to "/index.html" should not raise an exception
+    And I should see "Hello World"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/fixtures/external-helpers/config.rb b/fixtures/external-helpers/config.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3de1ebc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fixtures/external-helpers/config.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+require "lib/hello_helper"
+helpers HelloHelper
+
+page "/", :layout => false
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/fixtures/external-helpers/lib/hello_helper.rb b/fixtures/external-helpers/lib/hello_helper.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1b2e6e99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fixtures/external-helpers/lib/hello_helper.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+module HelloHelper
+  def hello
+    "Hello World"
+  end
+end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/fixtures/external-helpers/source/index.html.erb b/fixtures/external-helpers/source/index.html.erb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..efafd361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fixtures/external-helpers/source/index.html.erb
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+<%= hello %>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/middleman/core_extensions/extensions.rb b/lib/middleman/core_extensions/extensions.rb
index 6ddd1b7c..c0644ef6 100644
--- a/lib/middleman/core_extensions/extensions.rb
+++ b/lib/middleman/core_extensions/extensions.rb
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ module Middleman::CoreExtensions::Extensions
       
       run_hook :before_configuration
     
+      # Search the root of the project for required files
+      $LOAD_PATH.unshift(root)
+      
       # Check for and evaluate local configuration
       local_config = File.join(root, "config.rb")
       if File.exists? local_config