diff --git a/lib/ejs.js b/lib/ejs.js
index ca304a13..47a028bb 100644
--- a/lib/ejs.js
+++ b/lib/ejs.js
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ var compile = exports.compile = function(str, options){
   var input = JSON.stringify(str)
     , compileDebug = options.compileDebug !== false
     , client = options.client
+    , helpers = options.helpers || {}
     , filename = options.filename
         ? JSON.stringify(options.filename)
         : 'undefined';
@@ -250,7 +251,7 @@ var compile = exports.compile = function(str, options){
   if (client) str = 'escape = escape || ' + escape.toString() + ';\n' + str;
 
   try {
-    var fn = new Function('locals, filters, escape, rethrow', str);
+    var fn = new Function('locals, filters, escape, rethrow, helpers', 'with(helpers){'+ str+'}');
   } catch (err) {
     if ('SyntaxError' == err.name) {
       err.message += options.filename
@@ -263,7 +264,7 @@ var compile = exports.compile = function(str, options){
   if (client) return fn;
 
   return function(locals){
-    return fn.call(this, locals, filters, escape, rethrow);
+    return fn.call(this, locals, filters, escape, rethrow, helpers);
   }
 };