diff --git a/py/path/local/local.py b/py/path/local/local.py
index f461f4c1f..a1c03d9fb 100644
--- a/py/path/local/local.py
+++ b/py/path/local/local.py
@@ -537,6 +537,15 @@ class LocalPath(common.FSPathBase, PlatformMixin):
                         pass
         return None
     sysfind = classmethod(sysfind)
+
+    def _gethomedir(cls):
+        try:
+            x = os.environ['HOME']
+        except KeyError:
+            x = os.environ['HOMEPATH']
+        return cls(x)
+    _gethomedir = classmethod(_gethomedir)
+
     #"""
     #special class constructors for local filesystem paths
     #"""
diff --git a/py/path/local/testing/test_local.py b/py/path/local/testing/test_local.py
index 7e1cbb387..469cb14d4 100644
--- a/py/path/local/testing/test_local.py
+++ b/py/path/local/testing/test_local.py
@@ -332,6 +332,10 @@ def test_pypkgdir():
     assert pkg.pypkgpath() == pkg
     assert pkg.join('subdir', '__init__.py').pypkgpath() == pkg
 
+def test_homedir():
+    homedir = py.path.local._gethomedir()
+    assert homedir.check(dir=1)
+
 #class XTestLocalPath(TestLocalPath):
 #    def __init__(self):
 #        TestLocalPath.__init__(self)