diff --git a/static/js/services/utilRegistry.js b/static/js/services/utilRegistry.js
index ca12f3d28..ada1f7d0f 100644
--- a/static/js/services/utilRegistry.js
+++ b/static/js/services/utilRegistry.js
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
         console.log('setting up util', { util });
       }
 
-      scope = scope || document;
+      scope = scope || document.body;
 
       if (util && typeof util.setup === 'function') {
         const elements = _findUtilElements(util, scope);
@@ -96,6 +96,9 @@
     }
 
     function _findUtilElements(util, scope) {
+      if (scope && scope.matches(util.selector)) {
+        return [scope];
+      }
       return Array.from(scope.querySelectorAll(util.selector));
     }