diff --git a/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java b/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java
index 4172653b..bc071d54 100644
--- a/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java
+++ b/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java
@@ -740,6 +740,13 @@ public final class Application implements IPathElement, Runnable {
         return p;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Return the prototype with the given name, if it exists
+     */
+    public Prototype getPrototypeByName(String name) {
+        return (Prototype) typemgr.prototypes.get(name);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Return a collection containing all prototypes defined for this application
      */