diff --git a/Lib/email/errors.py b/Lib/email/errors.py
index d80b5b9..791239f 100644
--- a/Lib/email/errors.py
+++ b/Lib/email/errors.py
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@
     """Base class for a message defect."""
 
     def __init__(self, line=None):
+        if line is not None:
+            super().__init__(line)
         self.line = line
 
 class NoBoundaryInMultipartDefect(MessageDefect):
@@ -76,6 +78,9 @@
 class HeaderDefect(MessageDefect):
     """Base class for a header defect."""
 
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kw):
+        super().__init__(*args, **kw)
+
 class InvalidHeaderDefect(HeaderDefect):
     """Header is not valid, message gives details."""