diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
index 59970e9af..eca8c89b8 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ def bootstrap_env():
 bootstrap_env()
 
 from _mapnik import *
-from paths import inputpluginspath, fontscollectionpath
+from paths import inputpluginspath
+from paths import fontscollectionpath
 
 import printing
 printing.renderer = render
@@ -996,20 +997,27 @@ class _TextSymbolizer(TextSymbolizer,_injector):
         self.properties.wrap_width = wrap_width
 
 
-
-
-
 def mapnik_version_from_string(version_string):
     """Return the Mapnik version from a string."""
     n = version_string.split('.')
     return (int(n[0]) * 100000) + (int(n[1]) * 100) + (int(n[2]));
 
-def register_plugins(path=inputpluginspath):
+def register_plugins(path=None):
     """Register plugins located by specified path"""
+    if not path:
+        if os.environ.has_key('MAPNIK_INPUT_PLUGINS_DIRECTORY'):
+            path = os.environ.get('MAPNIK_INPUT_PLUGINS_DIRECTORY')
+        else:
+            path = inputpluginspath
     DatasourceCache.register_datasources(path)
 
-def register_fonts(path=fontscollectionpath,valid_extensions=['.ttf','.otf','.ttc','.pfa','.pfb','.ttc','.dfont']):
+def register_fonts(path=None,valid_extensions=['.ttf','.otf','.ttc','.pfa','.pfb','.ttc','.dfont']):
     """Recursively register fonts using path argument as base directory"""
+    if not path:
+       if os.environ.has_key('MAPNIK_FONT_DIRECTORY'):
+           path = os.environ.get('MAPNIK_FONT_DIRECTORY')
+       else:
+           path = fontscollectionpath
     for dirpath, _, filenames in os.walk(path):
         for filename in filenames:
             if os.path.splitext(filename.lower())[1] in valid_extensions: