--- a/cwconfig.py	Tue May 18 10:28:50 2010 +0200
+++ b/cwconfig.py	Tue May 18 10:30:34 2010 +0200
@@ -957,7 +957,10 @@
 
     def load_site_cubicweb(self):
         """load instance's specific site_cubicweb file"""
-        for path in reversed([self.apphome] + self.cubes_path()):
+        paths = self.cubes_path()
+        if self.apphome is not None:
+            paths = [self.apphome] + paths
+        for path in reversed(paths):
             sitefile = join(path, 'site_cubicweb.py')
             if exists(sitefile) and not sitefile in self._site_loaded:
                 self._load_site_cubicweb(sitefile)

--- a/devtools/devctl.py	Tue May 18 10:28:50 2010 +0200
+++ b/devtools/devctl.py	Tue May 18 10:30:34 2010 +0200
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@
         if cubes:
             self._cubes = self.reorder_cubes(
                 self.expand_cubes(cubes, with_recommends=True))
+            self.load_site_cubicweb()
         else:
             self._cubes = ()