diff --git a/repl/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/repl/SparkILoop.scala b/repl/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/repl/SparkILoop.scala
index 87d94d51be199..f262faa597b8f 100644
--- a/repl/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/repl/SparkILoop.scala
+++ b/repl/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/repl/SparkILoop.scala
@@ -180,8 +180,13 @@ class SparkILoop(in0: Option[BufferedReader], protected val out: JPrintWriter,
 
   /** Create a new interpreter. */
   def createInterpreter() {
-    if (addedClasspath != "")
-      settings.classpath append addedClasspath
+    require(settings != null)
+
+    if (addedClasspath != "") settings.classpath.append(addedClasspath)
+    // work around for Scala bug
+    val totalClassPath = SparkILoop.getAddedJars.foldLeft(
+      settings.classpath.value)((l, r) => ClassPath.join(l, r))
+    this.settings.classpath.value = totalClassPath
 
     intp = new SparkILoopInterpreter
   }