Index: logback-classic/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/classic/util/ContextInitializer.java
===================================================================
--- logback-classic/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/classic/util/ContextInitializer.java	(revision 2296)
+++ logback-classic/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/classic/util/ContextInitializer.java	(working copy)
@@ -81,6 +81,10 @@
 
   public URL findURLOfDefaultConfigurationFile(boolean updateStatus) {
     ClassLoader myClassLoader = this.getClass().getClassLoader();
+    if(myClassLoader == null){
+      myClassLoader = ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader();
+    }
+
     URL url = findConfigFileURLFromSystemProperties(myClassLoader, updateStatus);
     if (url != null) {
       return url;
Index: logback-core/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/core/util/Loader.java
===================================================================
--- logback-core/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/core/util/Loader.java	(revision 2296)
+++ logback-core/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/core/util/Loader.java	(working copy)
@@ -83,7 +83,9 @@
    * @return
    */
   public static URL getResourceBySelfClassLoader(String resource) {
-    return getResource(resource, Loader.class.getClassLoader());
+    ClassLoader cl = Loader.class.getClassLoader();
+    if(cl == null) cl = ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader();
+    return getResource(resource, cl);
   }
 
   // private static URL getResourceByTCL(String resource) {
@@ -104,6 +106,9 @@
   public static Class loadClass(String clazz, Context context)
       throws ClassNotFoundException {
     ClassLoader cl = context.getClass().getClassLoader();
+    if(cl == null){
+       cl = ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader();
+    }
     return cl.loadClass(clazz);
   }
 
Index: logback-core/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/core/util/OptionHelper.java
===================================================================
--- logback-core/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/core/util/OptionHelper.java	(revision 2296)
+++ logback-core/src/main/java/ch/qos/logback/core/util/OptionHelper.java	(working copy)
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
   public static Object instantiateByClassName(String className,
       Class superClass, Context context) throws IncompatibleClassException, DynamicClassLoadingException {
     ClassLoader classLoader = context.getClass().getClassLoader();
+    if(classLoader == null){
+      classLoader = ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader();
+    }
     return instantiateByClassName(className, superClass, classLoader);
   }