diff --git a/macros/src/lib.rs b/macros/src/lib.rs
index 2d00bf5..93a9bf9 100644
--- a/macros/src/lib.rs
+++ b/macros/src/lib.rs
@@ -133,7 +133,9 @@ fn expand_wc_struct_trait_shim(
                 "class {name} extends HTMLElement {{
     constructor() {{
         super();
-        this._impl = impl();
+        var self = this;
+        self._impl = impl();
+        self._impl.init();
     }}
 
     connectedCallback() {{
diff --git a/wasm-web-component/src/lib.rs b/wasm-web-component/src/lib.rs
index 1671827..e92bd3e 100644
--- a/wasm-web-component/src/lib.rs
+++ b/wasm-web-component/src/lib.rs
@@ -142,6 +142,11 @@ pub trait WebComponentDef: IntoWasmAbi + Default {
 /// Each method is optional. You only need to implement the ones
 /// you want to specify behavior for.
 pub trait WebComponentBinding: WebComponentDef {
+    /// Called during element construction.
+    fn init(&self, _element: &HtmlElement) {
+        // noop
+    }
+    
     /// Called when the web component is connected to the DOM.
     /// This is when you should do any setup like attaching a ShadowDom
     /// or appending elements.