diff --git a/py/execnet/gwmanage.py b/py/execnet/gwmanage.py
index f9a52e4b5..1ef613e54 100644
--- a/py/execnet/gwmanage.py
+++ b/py/execnet/gwmanage.py
@@ -12,9 +12,15 @@ NO_ENDMARKER_WANTED = object()
 class GatewayManager:
     RemoteError = RemoteError
 
-    def __init__(self, specs):
-        self.specs = [py.execnet.XSpec(spec) for spec in specs]
+    def __init__(self, specs, defaultchdir="pyexecnetcache"):
         self.gateways = []
+        self.specs = []
+        for spec in specs:
+            if not isinstance(spec, py.execnet.XSpec):
+                spec = py.execnet.XSpec(spec)
+            if not spec.chdir and not spec.popen:
+                spec.chdir = defaultchdir
+            self.specs.append(spec)
 
     def trace(self, msg):
         self.notify("trace", "gatewaymanage", msg)
diff --git a/py/execnet/testing/test_gwmanage.py b/py/execnet/testing/test_gwmanage.py
index 62a669ffa..74a1b6716 100644
--- a/py/execnet/testing/test_gwmanage.py
+++ b/py/execnet/testing/test_gwmanage.py
@@ -11,6 +11,17 @@ from py.__.execnet.gwmanage import GatewayManager, HostRSync
 pytest_plugins = "pytest_pytester"
 
 class TestGatewayManagerPopen:
+    def test_popen_no_default_chdir(self):
+        gm = GatewayManager(["popen"])
+        assert gm.specs[0].chdir is None
+
+    def test_default_chdir(self):
+        l = ["ssh=noco", "socket=xyz"]
+        for spec in GatewayManager(l).specs:
+            assert spec.chdir == "pyexecnetcache"
+        for spec in GatewayManager(l, defaultchdir="abc").specs:
+            assert spec.chdir == "abc"
+        
     def test_hostmanager_popen_makegateway(self, eventrecorder):
         hm = GatewayManager(["popen"] * 2)
         hm.makegateways()