diff --git a/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java b/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java
index b8aeb882..75b9e207 100644
--- a/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java
+++ b/src/helma/framework/core/Application.java
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ public final class Application implements Runnable {
      *
      * @param ignoreDirs comma separated list of directory names to ignore
      */
-    public void init(final String ignoreDirs)
+    public synchronized void init(final String ignoreDirs)
             throws DatabaseException, IllegalAccessException, InstantiationException,
                    ClassNotFoundException, InterruptedException {
 
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ public final class Application implements Runnable {
             }
         }
 
-        private void initInternal()
+        private synchronized void initInternal()
                 throws DatabaseException, IllegalAccessException,
                        InstantiationException, ClassNotFoundException {
             running = true;