diff --git a/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_doc.h b/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_doc.h
index 9e3795a..bfa66ef 100644
--- a/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_doc.h
+++ b/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_doc.h
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 class t_doc {
 
  public:
+  t_doc() : has_doc_(false) {}
+
   void set_doc(const std::string& doc) {
     doc_ = doc;
     has_doc_ = true;
diff --git a/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_program.h b/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_program.h
index 8b4f59c..f54ed71 100644
--- a/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_program.h
+++ b/compiler/cpp/src/parse/t_program.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 // For program_name()
 #include "main.h"
 
+#include "t_doc.h"
 #include "t_scope.h"
 #include "t_base_type.h"
 #include "t_typedef.h"
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@
  *
  * @author Mark Slee <mcslee@facebook.com>
  */
-class t_program {
+class t_program : public t_doc {
  public:
   t_program(std::string path, std::string name) :
     path_(path),