diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/DefBase.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/DefBase.java
index 12fecc3fd..b52bbb726 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/DefBase.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/DefBase.java
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ public abstract class DefBase extends AntlibDefinition {
     private ClassLoader createdLoader;
     private ClasspathUtils.Delegate cpDelegate;
 
+    /**
+     * Check if classpath attributes have been set.
+     * (to be called before getCpDelegate() is used.
+     * @return true if cpDelegate has been created.
+     */
+    protected boolean hasCpDelegate() {
+        return cpDelegate != null;
+    }
+
     /**
      * @param reverseLoader if true a delegated loader will take precedence over
      *                      the parent