diff --git a/plugins/scripting/scripting-compiler/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/scripting/compiler/plugin/impl/compilationContext.kt b/plugins/scripting/scripting-compiler/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/scripting/compiler/plugin/impl/compilationContext.kt
index 64afb984dd5..70bc996167e 100644
--- a/plugins/scripting/scripting-compiler/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/scripting/compiler/plugin/impl/compilationContext.kt
+++ b/plugins/scripting/scripting-compiler/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/scripting/compiler/plugin/impl/compilationContext.kt
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ import kotlin.script.experimental.jvm.jvm
 import kotlin.script.experimental.jvm.util.KotlinJars
 import kotlin.script.experimental.jvm.withUpdatedClasspath
 
+const val SCRIPT_BASE_COMPILER_ARGUMENTS_PROPERTY = "kotlin.script.base.compiler.arguments"
+
 class SharedScriptCompilationContext(
     val disposable: Disposable?,
     val baseScriptCompilationConfiguration: ScriptCompilationConfiguration,
@@ -140,7 +142,13 @@ internal fun createInitialConfigurations(
         createInitialCompilerConfiguration(
             scriptCompilationConfiguration, hostConfiguration, messageCollector, ignoredOptionsReportingState
         )
+    // TODO: replace the default when ready
     kotlinCompilerConfiguration.put(JVMConfigurationKeys.IR, false)
+
+    System.getProperty(SCRIPT_BASE_COMPILER_ARGUMENTS_PROPERTY)?.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() }?.split(' ')?.let {
+        kotlinCompilerConfiguration.updateWithCompilerOptions(it)
+    }
+
     val initialScriptCompilationConfiguration =
         scriptCompilationConfiguration.withUpdatesFromCompilerConfiguration(kotlinCompilerConfiguration)