diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1c369a50..1f6537c9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ and the following optional features:
 * `page.scroll_to`
 * cookie handling
 * drag-and-drop
+* basic http authentication
 
 There are some additional features:
 
@@ -234,6 +235,17 @@ page.within_window fb_popup do
 end
 ```
 
+### Basic HTTP authentication ###
+
+This method can be used for basic authentication:
+
+``` ruby
+page.driver.basic_authorize('username', 'password')
+```
+
+It actually appends `Authorize` header to bunch of your headers, so since you've
+set it don't try to use `headers=` which will overwrite it.
+
 
 ## Customization ##
 
diff --git a/lib/capybara/poltergeist/driver.rb b/lib/capybara/poltergeist/driver.rb
index b76bcd61..21b999de 100644
--- a/lib/capybara/poltergeist/driver.rb
+++ b/lib/capybara/poltergeist/driver.rb
@@ -225,6 +225,13 @@ def cookies_enabled=(flag)
       browser.cookies_enabled = flag
     end
 
+    # Since PhantomJS doesn't send `Authorize` header with POST
+    # request at all, it's better to set header manually.
+    def basic_authorize(user, password)
+      credentials = ["#{user}:#{password}"].pack('m*')
+      add_header('Authorization', "Basic #{credentials}")
+    end
+
     def debug
       if @options[:inspector]
         inspector.open
diff --git a/spec/integration/driver_spec.rb b/spec/integration/driver_spec.rb
index a83df687..e9a3bb03 100644
--- a/spec/integration/driver_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/integration/driver_spec.rb
@@ -620,5 +620,23 @@ def create_screenshot(file, *args)
       expect(@driver.browser.window_handles).to eq(["popup"])
       expect(@driver.window_handles).to eq(["popup"])
     end
+
+    context 'basic http authentication' do
+      it 'does not set header' do
+        @session.visit '/poltergeist/basic_auth'
+
+        expect(@session.status_code).to eq(401)
+        expect(@session).not_to have_content('Welcome, authenticated client')
+      end
+
+      it 'sets header' do
+        @driver.basic_authorize('login', 'pass')
+
+        @session.visit '/poltergeist/basic_auth'
+
+        expect(@session.status_code).to eq(200)
+        expect(@session).to have_content('Welcome, authenticated client')
+      end
+    end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/support/test_app.rb b/spec/support/test_app.rb
index 7f53a847..8b265b79 100644
--- a/spec/support/test_app.rb
+++ b/spec/support/test_app.rb
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ class TestApp
     "slow page"
   end
 
+  get '/poltergeist/basic_auth' do
+    auth = Rack::Auth::Basic::Request.new(request.env)
+    if auth.provided? and auth.basic? and auth.credentials and auth.credentials == ['login', 'pass']
+      'Welcome, authenticated client'
+    else
+      headers['WWW-Authenticate'] = 'Basic realm="Restricted Area"'
+      halt 401, "Not authorized\n"
+    end
+  end
+
   get '/poltergeist/:view' do |view|
     render_view view
   end