diff --git a/kong.go b/kong.go
index 1b84f38..0a8dc0d 100644
--- a/kong.go
+++ b/kong.go
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ type Kong struct {
 	registry      *Registry
 	noDefaultHelp bool
 	help          func(*Context) error
+
+	// Set temporarily by Options. These are moved into the Model after build().
+	name        string
+	description string
 }
 
 // New creates a new Kong parser on grammar.
@@ -63,12 +67,16 @@ func New(grammar interface{}, options ...Option) (*Kong, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return k, err
 	}
-	model.Name = filepath.Base(os.Args[0])
+	if k.name == "" {
+		model.Name = filepath.Base(os.Args[0])
+	} else {
+		model.Name = k.name
+	}
+	if k.description != "" {
+		model.Help = k.description
+	}
 	k.Model = model
 
-	for _, option := range options {
-		option(k)
-	}
 	return k, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/options.go b/options.go
index 7e2a871..7020a0b 100644
--- a/options.go
+++ b/options.go
@@ -6,9 +6,6 @@ import (
 )
 
 // Options apply optional changes to the Kong application.
-//
-// Note that Options are applied twice: once just prior to the grammar is constructed and once after. In the
-// former case, Kong.Application will be nil.
 type Option func(k *Kong)
 
 // ExitFunction overrides the function used to terminate. This is useful for testing or interactive use.
@@ -26,9 +23,7 @@ func NoDefaultHelp() Option {
 // Name overrides the application name.
 func Name(name string) Option {
 	return func(k *Kong) {
-		if k.Model != nil {
-			k.Model.Name = name
-		}
+		k.name = name
 	}
 }
 
@@ -55,9 +50,7 @@ func NamedMapper(name string, mapper Mapper) Option {
 // Description sets the application description.
 func Description(description string) Option {
 	return func(k *Kong) {
-		if k.Model != nil {
-			k.Model.Help = description
-		}
+		k.description = description
 	}
 }