diff --git a/src/mini/shady.html b/src/mini/shady.html
index cb9b7137d3..8d96fc7b57 100644
--- a/src/mini/shady.html
+++ b/src/mini/shady.html
@@ -129,6 +129,10 @@
       _finishDistribute: function() {
         // compose self
         if (this._useContent) {
+          // note: it's important to mark this clean before distribution
+          // so that attachment that provokes additional distribution (e.g. 
+          // adding something to your parentNode) works
+          this.shadyRoot._distributionClean = true;
           if (hasInsertionPoint(this.shadyRoot)) {
             this._composeTree();
           } else {
@@ -146,7 +150,6 @@
             }
           }
           this.shadyRoot._hasDistributed = true;
-          this.shadyRoot._distributionClean = true;
         }
       },