diff --git a/wagtail/project_template/project_name/settings/base.py b/wagtail/project_template/project_name/settings/base.py
index d3cbbe729..b84cdc937 100644
--- a/wagtail/project_template/project_name/settings/base.py
+++ b/wagtail/project_template/project_name/settings/base.py
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@ TEMPLATE_DEBUG = True
 ALLOWED_HOSTS = []
 
 
+# Base URL to use when referring to full URLs within the Wagtail admin backend -
+# e.g. in notification emails. Don't include '/admin' or a trailing slash
+BASE_URL = 'http://localhost:8000'
+
+
 # Application definition
 
 INSTALLED_APPS = (