diff --git a/annotations-processor/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/digester3/annotations/processor/DigesterAnnotationsProcessor.java b/annotations-processor/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/digester3/annotations/processor/DigesterAnnotationsProcessor.java
index 643f70b..4db3b5a 100644
--- a/annotations-processor/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/digester3/annotations/processor/DigesterAnnotationsProcessor.java
+++ b/annotations-processor/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/digester3/annotations/processor/DigesterAnnotationsProcessor.java
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@
 import org.apache.commons.digester3.annotations.rules.SetProperty;
 import org.apache.commons.digester3.annotations.rules.SetRoot;
 import org.apache.commons.digester3.annotations.rules.SetTop;
+import org.apache.commons.digester3.binder.AbstractRulesModule;
 import org.kohsuke.MetaInfServices;
 
 import com.sun.codemodel.JClassAlreadyExistsException;
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@
         {
             JDefinedClass definedClass = modulePackage._class( FINAL | PUBLIC, className );
             definedClass.javadoc().add( format( "Generated by Apache Commons Digester at %s", new Date() ) );
+            definedClass._extends( AbstractRulesModule.class );
 
             JMethod method = definedClass.method( PROTECTED, Void.class, "configure" );
             method.annotate( Override.class );