diff --git a/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.cpp b/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.cpp
index 5cc6cc2..4f906a8 100644
--- a/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.cpp
+++ b/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.cpp
@@ -477,6 +477,13 @@ std::string ServerContextImpl::getChannelProviderName()
 	return _channelProviderName;
 }
 
+void ServerContextImpl::setChannelProviderName(std::string channelProviderName)
+{
+    if (_state != NOT_INITIALIZED)
+        throw std::logic_error("must be called before initialize");
+    _channelProviderName = channelProviderName;
+}
+
 ChannelProvider* ServerContextImpl::getChannelProvider()
 {
 	return _channelProvider;
diff --git a/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.h b/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.h
index 6103b34..162e5c9 100644
--- a/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.h
+++ b/pvAccessApp/server/serverContext.h
@@ -252,6 +252,12 @@ public:
 	 */
 	std::string getChannelProviderName();
 
+	/**
+	 * Set channel provider name. 
+	 * This method can only be called before initialize.
+	 */
+	void setChannelProviderName(std::string providerName);
+
 	/**
 	 * Get channel provider.
 	 * @return channel provider.