diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/ProjectComponent.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/ProjectComponent.java
index ce9d215f5..314ebac8d 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/ProjectComponent.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/ProjectComponent.java
@@ -115,6 +115,12 @@ public abstract class ProjectComponent {
     public void log(String msg, int msgLevel) {
         if (project != null) {
             project.log(msg, msgLevel);
+        } else {
+            // 'reasonable' default, if the component is used without
+            // a Project ( for example as a standalone Bean ).
+            // Most ant components can be used this way.
+            if( msgLevel >= Project.MSG_INFO )
+                System.err.println( msg );
         }
     }
 }