diff --git a/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.h b/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.h
index 6da2c5057..9eb746286 100644
--- a/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.h
+++ b/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.h
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 -(void)forward;
 - (NSString *) currentURL;
 -(void)goToUrl:(NSString *)url;
+-(void)setStartURL:(NSString *)url;
 -(unsigned int) getLocationFilter;
 -(void) setLocationFilter: (unsigned int) filter;
 -(void)runScript:(NSString *)fileName;
diff --git a/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.mm b/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.mm
index 3ff7a8b36..cde06a753 100644
--- a/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.mm
+++ b/macosx/CelestiaAppCore.mm
@@ -481,6 +481,11 @@ static NSMutableDictionary* tagDict;
     appCore->goToUrl([url stdString]);
 }
 
+-(void)setStartURL:(NSString *)url
+{
+    appCore->setStartURL([url stdString]);
+}
+
 -(unsigned int) getLocationFilter
 {
     return appCore->getSimulation()->getActiveObserver()->getLocationFilter();
diff --git a/macosx/CelestiaController.m b/macosx/CelestiaController.m
index 3ca9ffa92..af8d116bb 100644
--- a/macosx/CelestiaController.m
+++ b/macosx/CelestiaController.m
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ NSString* fatalErrorMessage;
     // paste URL if pending
     if (pendingUrl != nil )
     {
-        [ appCore goToUrl: pendingUrl ];
+        [ appCore setStartURL: pendingUrl ];
     }
         
     ready = YES;