diff --git a/puepy/core.py b/puepy/core.py
index aa93ffa..4813995 100644
--- a/puepy/core.py
+++ b/puepy/core.py
@@ -1,13 +1,8 @@
+import binascii
+import hashlib
+
 from .exceptions import ElementNotInDom, PropsError, PageError
 from .reactivity import ReactiveDict, Stateful
-from .util import (
-    mixed_to_underscores,
-    merge_classes,
-    jsobj,
-    _extract_event_handlers,
-    patch_dom_element,
-)
-
 from .runtime import (
     add_event_listener,
     remove_event_listener,
@@ -17,6 +12,12 @@
     setTimeout,
     CustomEvent,
 )
+from .util import (
+    mixed_to_underscores,
+    merge_classes,
+    _extract_event_handlers,
+    patch_dom_element,
+)
 
 
 class Prop:
@@ -705,12 +706,15 @@ def generate_tag(self, tag_name, *children, **kwargs):
             raise Exception("t.generate_tag called without a context")
 
         # Determine ref value
-        ref_part = f"__{parent.ref}.{tag_name}{len(parent.children) + 1}"
+        ref_part = f"__{parent.ref}.{tag_name}{len(parent.children) + 1}_" + binascii.hexlify(
+            hashlib.sha256(str(kwargs).encode()).digest()
+        )[:8].decode("utf8")
 
         ref = kwargs.pop("ref", ref_part)
 
         if ref and origin and ref in origin._refs_pending_removal:
-            element = origin._refs_pending_removal.pop(ref)
+            element: Tag = origin._refs_pending_removal.pop(ref)
+
             assert element.origin == origin
             element._configure(kwargs)
             element.children = []