diff --git a/src/lib/custom-style.html b/src/lib/custom-style.html
index 89900edf40..183197ba0f 100644
--- a/src/lib/custom-style.html
+++ b/src/lib/custom-style.html
@@ -128,9 +128,12 @@
       if (this.__appliedElement !== this) {
         this.__appliedElement.__cssBuild = this.__cssBuild;
       }
+      // needed becuase elements in imports do not get 'attached'
       this._tryApply();
     },
 
+    // needed to support dynamic custom styles created outside document
+    // and then added to it.
     attached: function() {
       this._tryApply();
     },
@@ -173,7 +176,7 @@
 
     // polyfill this style with root scoping and
     // apply custom properties!
-    _apply: function(deferProperties) {
+    _apply: function(initialApply) {
       // used applied element from HTMLImports polyfill or this
       var e = this.__appliedElement;
       if (this.include) {
@@ -236,11 +239,8 @@
         var fn = function fn() {
           self._flushCustomProperties();
         }
-        if (deferProperties) {
-          if (!this.__scheduledPropertiesFlush) {
-            this.__scheduledPropertiesFlush = true;
-            Polymer.RenderStatus.whenReady(fn);
-          }
+        if (initialApply) {
+          Polymer.RenderStatus.whenReady(fn);
         } else {
           fn();
         }
@@ -248,7 +248,6 @@
     },
 
     _flushCustomProperties: function() {
-      this.__scheduledPropertiesFlush = false;
       // if this style has not yet applied at all and it was loaded asynchronously
       // (detected by Polymer being ready when this element tried to apply), then
       // do a full updateStyles to ensure that