diff --git a/Source/cmSystemTools.cxx b/Source/cmSystemTools.cxx
index 5d3864cd1..de181f099 100644
--- a/Source/cmSystemTools.cxx
+++ b/Source/cmSystemTools.cxx
@@ -906,6 +906,10 @@ bool cmSystemTools::FileIsDirectory(const char* name)
     }
 }
 
+int cmSystemTools::ChangeDirectory(const char *dir)
+{
+  return Chdir(dir);
+}
 
 std::string cmSystemTools::GetCurrentWorkingDirectory()
 {
diff --git a/Source/cmSystemTools.h b/Source/cmSystemTools.h
index 8ea7724c3..df5d2d5a7 100644
--- a/Source/cmSystemTools.h
+++ b/Source/cmSystemTools.h
@@ -237,7 +237,10 @@ public:
 
   ///! Generate a temporary file name
   static std::string TemporaryFileName();
-  
+
+  ///! change directory the the directory specified
+  static int ChangeDirectory(const char* dir);
+    
 private:
   static bool s_ErrorOccured;
 };