diff --git a/marionette/marionette-tests.ts b/marionette/marionette-tests.ts
index c758378105..a37eccc9f8 100644
--- a/marionette/marionette-tests.ts
+++ b/marionette/marionette-tests.ts
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ module Marionette.Tests {
 
       constructor() {
         super();
+        this.getOption<string>('foo');
         this.triggers = {
           'click .foo': 'bar'
         };
diff --git a/marionette/marionette.d.ts b/marionette/marionette.d.ts
index 40c0f6775d..363d4142a1 100644
--- a/marionette/marionette.d.ts
+++ b/marionette/marionette.d.ts
@@ -721,6 +721,12 @@ declare module Marionette {
         getTemplate(): any;
 
 
+        /**
+         * Retrieve an object's attribute either directly from the object, or
+         * from the object's this.options, with this.options taking precedence.
+         */
+        getOption<T>(optionName:string): T;
+
         mixinTemplateHelpers(target?: any): any;
         configureTriggers(): any;