diff --git a/lib/compass/configuration.rb b/lib/compass/configuration.rb
index d8efb812..58ad570d 100644
--- a/lib/compass/configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/configuration.rb
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ module Compass
       attributes_for_directory(:fonts),
       attributes_for_directory(:extensions, nil),
       # Compilation options
+      :sprite_search_path,
       :output_style,
       :environment,
       :relative_assets,
diff --git a/lib/compass/configuration/defaults.rb b/lib/compass/configuration/defaults.rb
index 236ce672..abdd3efd 100644
--- a/lib/compass/configuration/defaults.rb
+++ b/lib/compass/configuration/defaults.rb
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ module Compass
       def default_http_images_dir
         top_level.images_dir
       end
+      
+      def default_sprite_search_path
+        [top_level.images_path]
+      end
 
       def default_http_images_path
         http_root_relative top_level.http_images_dir