diff --git a/lib/sinatra/event.rb b/lib/sinatra/event.rb
index acc67092..6444780c 100644
--- a/lib/sinatra/event.rb
+++ b/lib/sinatra/event.rb
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ module Sinatra
     end
     alias :header :headers
     
+    def session
+      request.env['rack.session']
+    end
+
     def params
       @params ||= @request.params.symbolize_keys
     end
diff --git a/lib/sinatra/server.rb b/lib/sinatra/server.rb
index bf4bac85..c1b9ad79 100644
--- a/lib/sinatra/server.rb
+++ b/lib/sinatra/server.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ module Sinatra
     def start
       begin
         tail_thread = tail(Options.log_file)
-        Rack::Handler::Mongrel.run(Dispatcher.new, :Port => Options.port) do |server|
+        Rack::Handler::Mongrel.run(Rack::Session::Cookie.new(Dispatcher.new), :Port => Options.port) do |server|
           puts "== Sinatra has taken the stage on port #{server.port}!"
           trap("INT") do
             server.stop