diff --git a/shared/static/wasm/sx/boot.sx b/shared/static/wasm/sx/boot.sx
index a5b319d1..6b416c40 100644
--- a/shared/static/wasm/sx/boot.sx
+++ b/shared/static/wasm/sx/boot.sx
@@ -332,13 +332,14 @@
                 (component-params comp))
               (let
                 ((cursor (dict "parent" el "index" 0)))
-                (scope-push! "sx-hydrating" cursor)
+                (host-call el "replaceChildren")
+                (scope-push! "sx-hydrating" nil)
                 (cek-try
                   (fn
                     ()
                     (with-island-scope
                       (fn (disposable) (append! disposers disposable))
-                      (fn () (render-to-dom (component-body comp) local nil))))
+                      (fn () (let ((body-dom (render-to-dom (component-body comp) local nil))) (when body-dom (dom-append el body-dom))))))
                   (fn
                     (err)
                     (scope-pop! "sx-hydrating")
diff --git a/web/boot.sx b/web/boot.sx
index a5b319d1..6b416c40 100644
--- a/web/boot.sx
+++ b/web/boot.sx
@@ -332,13 +332,14 @@
                 (component-params comp))
               (let
                 ((cursor (dict "parent" el "index" 0)))
-                (scope-push! "sx-hydrating" cursor)
+                (host-call el "replaceChildren")
+                (scope-push! "sx-hydrating" nil)
                 (cek-try
                   (fn
                     ()
                     (with-island-scope
                       (fn (disposable) (append! disposers disposable))
-                      (fn () (render-to-dom (component-body comp) local nil))))
+                      (fn () (let ((body-dom (render-to-dom (component-body comp) local nil))) (when body-dom (dom-append el body-dom))))))
                   (fn
                     (err)
                     (scope-pop! "sx-hydrating")