diff --git a/docs/getting-started/changelog.md b/docs/getting-started/changelog.md
index e18daa26..e5cc0e44 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started/changelog.md
+++ b/docs/getting-started/changelog.md
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ _During the beta period, these restrictions may be relaxed in the event of a mis
 - Fixed a bug where disabled link buttons didn't appear disabled
 - Improved elevation tokens in dark theme
 - Improved accessibility in `sl-tooltip` by allowing escape to dismiss it [#219](https://github.com/shoelace-style/shoelace/issues/219)
+- Improved slot detection in `sl-card`, `sl-dialog`, and `sl-drawer`
 - Removed `sl-blur` and `sl-focus` events from `sl-menu` since menus can't have focus as of 2.0.0-beta.22
 - Updated `sl-spinner` so the indicator is more obvious 
 - Updated to Bootstrap Icons 1.2.1
diff --git a/src/components/card/card.tsx b/src/components/card/card.tsx
index 53dd1861..8a1572e3 100644
--- a/src/components/card/card.tsx
+++ b/src/components/card/card.tsx
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ export class Card {
     this.handleSlotChange = this.handleSlotChange.bind(this);
   }
 
+  componentWillLoad() {
+    this.handleSlotChange();
+  }
+
   handleSlotChange() {
     this.hasFooter = hasSlot(this.host, 'footer');
     this.hasImage = hasSlot(this.host, 'image');
diff --git a/src/components/dialog/dialog.tsx b/src/components/dialog/dialog.tsx
index ea2fb4c8..dea0aff5 100644
--- a/src/components/dialog/dialog.tsx
+++ b/src/components/dialog/dialog.tsx
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ export class Dialog {
   }
 
   componentWillLoad() {
+    this.handleSlotChange();
+
     // Show on init if open
     if (this.open) {
       this.show();
diff --git a/src/components/drawer/drawer.tsx b/src/components/drawer/drawer.tsx
index 669d1506..5067901e 100644
--- a/src/components/drawer/drawer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/drawer/drawer.tsx
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ export class Drawer {
   }
 
   componentWillLoad() {
+    this.handleSlotChange();
+
     // Show on init if open
     if (this.open) {
       this.show();