diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index a720bd8..46807f3 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -29,6 +29,18 @@ impl Heap {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Initializes an empty heap
+    ///
+    /// # Unsafety
+    ///
+    /// This function must be called at most once and must only be used on an
+    /// empty heap.
+    pub unsafe fn init(&mut self, heap_bottom: usize, heap_size: usize) {
+        self.bottom = heap_bottom;
+        self.size = heap_size;
+        self.holes = HoleList::new(heap_bottom, heap_size);
+    }
+
     /// Creates a new heap with the given `bottom` and `size`. The bottom address must be valid
     /// and the memory in the `[heap_bottom, heap_bottom + heap_size)` range must not be used for
     /// anything else. This function is unsafe because it can cause undefined behavior if the