diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a90ae761..530bdafe 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 * `LitElement.renderRoot` is now `public readonly` instead of `protected`.
 
 ### Fixed
+* Initial update is scheduled at construction time rather than connected time ([#594](https://github.com/Polymer/lit-element/issues/594)).
 * A reflecting property set immediately after a corresponding attribute
 now reflects properly ([#592](https://github.com/Polymer/lit-element/issues/592)).
 * Properties annotated with the `@query` and `@queryAll` decorators will now
diff --git a/src/lib/updating-element.ts b/src/lib/updating-element.ts
index 4cca413d..ab21ed59 100644
--- a/src/lib/updating-element.ts
+++ b/src/lib/updating-element.ts
@@ -441,6 +441,8 @@ export abstract class UpdatingElement extends HTMLElement {
    */
   protected initialize() {
     this._saveInstanceProperties();
+    // ensures first update will be caught by an early access of `updateComplete`
+    this.requestUpdate();
   }
 
   /**
@@ -484,15 +486,13 @@ export abstract class UpdatingElement extends HTMLElement {
 
   connectedCallback() {
     this._updateState = this._updateState | STATE_HAS_CONNECTED;
-    // Ensure connection triggers an update. Updates cannot complete before
+    // Ensure first connection completes an update. Updates cannot complete before
     // connection and if one is pending connection the `_hasConnectionResolver`
     // will exist. If so, resolve it to complete the update, otherwise
     // requestUpdate.
     if (this._hasConnectedResolver) {
       this._hasConnectedResolver();
       this._hasConnectedResolver = undefined;
-    } else {
-      this.requestUpdate();
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/test/lib/updating-element_test.ts b/src/test/lib/updating-element_test.ts
index d10d3b0e..c5f6b45c 100644
--- a/src/test/lib/updating-element_test.ts
+++ b/src/test/lib/updating-element_test.ts
@@ -2202,11 +2202,6 @@ suite('UpdatingElement', () => {
 
       @property() foo = 5;
 
-      constructor() {
-        super();
-        this.requestUpdate();
-      }
-
       updated(_changedProperties: Map<PropertyKey, unknown>) {
         this.updatedCalledCount++;
       }
@@ -2220,6 +2215,28 @@ suite('UpdatingElement', () => {
     assert.equal(a.updatedCalledCount, 1);
   });
 
+  test('early access of updateComplete waits until first update', async() => {
+    class A extends UpdatingElement {
+      didUpdate = false;
+
+      updated(_changedProperties: Map<PropertyKey, unknown>) {
+        this.didUpdate = true;
+      }
+    }
+    customElements.define(generateElementName(), A);
+    const a = new A();
+    let updated = false;
+    a.updateComplete.then(() => {
+      updated = true;
+      assert.isTrue(a.didUpdate);
+    });
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 20));
+    assert.isFalse(updated);
+    container.appendChild(a);
+    await a.updateComplete;
+    assert.isTrue(updated);
+  });
+
   test('property reflects after setting attribute in same update cycle', async () => {
     class A extends UpdatingElement {