diff --git a/lib/nodejs/examples/Makefile b/lib/nodejs/examples/Makefile
index b4283dc..87157db 100644
--- a/lib/nodejs/examples/Makefile
+++ b/lib/nodejs/examples/Makefile
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 	../../../compiler/cpp/thrift --gen js:node user.thrift
 
 server: all	
-	NODE_PATH=../lib:../lib/thrift node server.js
+	NODE_PATH=../lib:../lib/thrift:$(NODE_PATH) node server.js
 
 client: all	
-	NODE_PATH=../lib:../lib/thrift node client.js
+	NODE_PATH=../lib:../lib/thrift:$(NODE_PATH) node client.js