diff --git a/library/server/ewf_support/src/before_72/wsf_support.e b/library/server/ewf_support/src/before_72/wsf_support.e
index 01d44f27..8800bd7c 100644
--- a/library/server/ewf_support/src/before_72/wsf_support.e
+++ b/library/server/ewf_support/src/before_72/wsf_support.e
@@ -26,4 +26,11 @@ feature -- Access: environment
 			Result := execution_environment.starting_environment_variables
 		end
 
+	environment_item (a_name: READABLE_STRING_GENERAL): detachable STRING_32
+		do
+			if attached execution_environment.get (a_name.to_string_8) as v then
+				Result := v.to_string_32
+			end
+		end
+
 end
diff --git a/library/server/ewf_support/src/greater_or_72/wsf_support.e b/library/server/ewf_support/src/greater_or_72/wsf_support.e
index b2c2cdb4..559333dd 100644
--- a/library/server/ewf_support/src/greater_or_72/wsf_support.e
+++ b/library/server/ewf_support/src/greater_or_72/wsf_support.e
@@ -26,4 +26,9 @@ feature -- Access: environment
 			Result := execution_environment.starting_environment
 		end
 
+	environment_item (a_name: READABLE_STRING_GENERAL): detachable STRING_32
+		do
+			Result := execution_environment.item (a_name)
+		end
+
 end