diff --git a/src/combobox.js b/src/combobox.js
index da0121b..6efe67a 100644
--- a/src/combobox.js
+++ b/src/combobox.js
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ export function comboboxData(config = {}) {
     isOpen: false,
     highlighted: -1,
     placeholder: config.placeholder || '',
+    _opts: null, // set reactively via setOptions(); see _options getter
 
     init() {
       this.syncQueryFromValue();
@@ -66,8 +67,19 @@ export function comboboxData(config = {}) {
       }
     },
 
+    // setOptions lets a parent feed reactive option lists in via x-effect —
+    // e.g. x-effect="setOptions(vpicMakes)" — which is the reliable way to
+    // pass a parent component's reactive array into this nested x-data (a
+    // plain closure over the parent scope would NOT track updates). Falls back
+    // to config.options when never called (static lists).
+    setOptions(raw) {
+      this._opts = normalizeOptions(raw);
+      // a shrinking list shouldn't leave a stale highlight selected
+      if (this.highlighted >= this._opts.length) this.highlighted = -1;
+    },
+
     get _options() {
-      return normalizeOptions(config.options);
+      return this._opts != null ? this._opts : normalizeOptions(config.options);
     },
 
     syncQueryFromValue() {
diff --git a/src/combobox.test.js b/src/combobox.test.js
index 2dceb0d..9571557 100644
--- a/src/combobox.test.js
+++ b/src/combobox.test.js
@@ -54,3 +54,13 @@ test('empty query lists all options (capped) (SEV-392)', () => {
   c.query = '';
   assert.equal(c.filtered.length, 3);
 });
+
+test('setOptions feeds reactive option lists (SEV-392)', () => {
+  const c = comboboxData({ allowFree: true });
+  c.setOptions([]); // async source not loaded yet
+  assert.equal(c.filtered.length, 0);
+  c.setOptions(['BMW', 'Tesla']); // makes arrive
+  assert.equal(c.filtered.length, 2);
+  c.query = 'tes';
+  assert.deepEqual(c.filtered.map((o) => o.value), ['Tesla']);
+});