diff --git a/py/test/config.py b/py/test/config.py
index 3c0c2b0dc..bba884b19 100644
--- a/py/test/config.py
+++ b/py/test/config.py
@@ -91,11 +91,14 @@ class Config(object):
             where they were found).
         """
         try:
-            mod, relroots = self.conftest.rget_with_confmod(name, path)
-        except KeyError:
-            return None
-        modpath = py.path.local(mod.__file__).dirpath()
-        return [modpath.join(x, abs=True) for x in relroots]
+            return getattr(self.option, name)
+        except AttributeError:
+            try:
+                mod, relroots = self.conftest.rget_with_confmod(name, path)
+            except KeyError:
+                return None
+            modpath = py.path.local(mod.__file__).dirpath()
+            return [modpath.join(x, abs=True) for x in relroots]
              
     def addoptions(self, groupname, *specs): 
         """ add a named group of options to the current testing session. 
diff --git a/py/test/testing/test_config.py b/py/test/testing/test_config.py
index 4434b5881..12c2f240c 100644
--- a/py/test/testing/test_config.py
+++ b/py/test/testing/test_config.py
@@ -289,6 +289,10 @@ class TestSessionAndOptions:
         assert pl[0] == tmpdir
         assert pl[1] == somepath
 
+        config.option.mypathlist = [py.path.local()]
+        pl = config.getvalue_pathlist('mypathlist')
+        assert pl == [py.path.local()]
+
     def test_config_iocapturing(self):
         self.tmpdir
         config = py.test.config._reparse([self.tmpdir])