diff --git a/lib/rabl-rails/responder.rb b/lib/rabl-rails/responder.rb
index 0a03c3c..997bf80 100644
--- a/lib/rabl-rails/responder.rb
+++ b/lib/rabl-rails/responder.rb
@@ -5,10 +5,15 @@ module RablRails
   # representation but instead use a rabl template
   #
   class Responder < ActionController::Responder
+    def initialize(controller, resources, options = {})
+      super
+      @api_template = @controller.respond_to?(:responder_default_template, true) ? controller.send(:responder_default_template) : nil
+    end
+
     protected
 
     def api_behavior(error)
-      rabl_options = options.merge(template: RablRails.responder_default_template)
+      rabl_options = options.merge(template: @api_template || RablRails.responder_default_template)
 
       if get?
         controller.default_render rabl_options