diff --git a/gas/cgen.c b/gas/cgen.c
index bdadf32430e..030c2f0bebd 100644
--- a/gas/cgen.c
+++ b/gas/cgen.c
@@ -1023,7 +1023,9 @@ gas_cgen_tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type r_type = fixP->fx_r_type;
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
 
 #ifdef GAS_CGEN_PCREL_R_TYPE
   if (fixP->fx_pcrel)
@@ -1031,7 +1033,7 @@ gas_cgen_tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
 #endif
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, r_type);
 
-  if (reloc->howto == (reloc_howto_type *) NULL)
+  if (reloc->howto == NULL)
     {
       as_bad_where (fixP->fx_file, fixP->fx_line,
 		    _("relocation is not supported"));
@@ -1040,9 +1042,6 @@ gas_cgen_tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
 
   gas_assert (!fixP->fx_pcrel == !reloc->howto->pc_relative);
 
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
-
   /* Use fx_offset for these cases.  */
   if (fixP->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_ENTRY
       || fixP->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_INHERIT)
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-aarch64.c b/gas/config/tc-aarch64.c
index bf594e70960..3046d3d8b5e 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-aarch64.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-aarch64.c
@@ -9984,9 +9984,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * section, fixS * fixp)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-alpha.c b/gas/config/tc-alpha.c
index 8d27f7585be..4f5897bd58e 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-alpha.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-alpha.c
@@ -6224,8 +6224,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
@@ -6300,7 +6300,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 	  pname = symbol_get_bfdsym (sym)->name;
 	}
 
-      udata = XNEW (struct evax_private_udata_struct);
+      udata = notes_alloc (sizeof (*udata));
       udata->enbsym = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       udata->bsym = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->tc_fix_data.info->psym);
       udata->origname = (char *)pname;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-arc.c b/gas/config/tc-arc.c
index d62e0a19693..8b69ca6d1f7 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-arc.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-arc.c
@@ -3251,8 +3251,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-arm.c b/gas/config/tc-arm.c
index f977117500c..c2173b730ed 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-arm.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-arm.c
@@ -29358,9 +29358,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
   arelent * reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-avr.c b/gas/config/tc-avr.c
index 61398e6823e..5976e58dd33 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-avr.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-avr.c
@@ -1838,9 +1838,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
       return NULL;
     }
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
 
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-bfin.c b/gas/config/tc-bfin.c
index 44c3661bd9d..d91ca5fa083 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-bfin.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-bfin.c
@@ -798,10 +798,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc		      = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr  = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-  reloc->address      = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+  reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
@@ -812,9 +812,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 		    /* xgettext:c-format.  */
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
 		    (int) fixp->fx_r_type);
-
-      xfree (reloc);
-
       return NULL;
     }
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-bpf.c b/gas/config/tc-bpf.c
index a2923354219..91ef7b3a49c 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-bpf.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-bpf.c
@@ -346,7 +346,9 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type r_type = fixP->fx_r_type;
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
 
   if (fixP->fx_pcrel)
    {
@@ -367,11 +369,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
       return NULL;
     }
 
-  //XXX  gas_assert (!fixP->fx_pcrel == !reloc->howto->pc_relative);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
-
   /* Use fx_offset for these cases.  */
   if (fixP->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_ENTRY
       || fixP->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_INHERIT)
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-cr16.c b/gas/config/tc-cr16.c
index 4f2ef2c1501..4bc6a14187e 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-cr16.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-cr16.c
@@ -537,8 +537,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixP)
 	   && (S_GET_SEGMENT (fixP->fx_subsy) == absolute_section)))
     return NULL;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr  = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixP->fx_offset;
@@ -574,8 +574,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixP)
 	{
 	  /* We only resolve difference expressions in the same section.  */
 	  as_bad_subtract (fixP);
-	  free (reloc->sym_ptr_ptr);
-	  free (reloc);
 	  return NULL;
 	}
     }
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-cris.c b/gas/config/tc-cris.c
index 302e7d06be6..2c002845bcc 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-cris.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-cris.c
@@ -3953,9 +3953,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
       return 0;
     }
 
-  relP = XNEW (arelent);
-  gas_assert (relP != 0);
-  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  relP = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *relP->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   relP->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-crx.c b/gas/config/tc-crx.c
index 0561a07c184..7a8db73bb0e 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-crx.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-crx.c
@@ -284,8 +284,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixP)
 {
   arelent * reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr  = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixP->fx_offset;
@@ -318,8 +318,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixP)
 	{
 	  /* We only resolve difference expressions in the same section.  */
 	  as_bad_subtract (fixP);
-	  free (reloc->sym_ptr_ptr);
-	  free (reloc);
 	  return NULL;
 	}
     }
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-csky.c b/gas/config/tc-csky.c
index 90bc411f792..df98c88459c 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-csky.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-csky.c
@@ -5655,10 +5655,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
 
   if (fixP->fx_pcrel
       && fixP->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_CKCORE_ADDR32)
-      fixP->fx_r_type = BFD_RELOC_CKCORE_PCREL32;
+    fixP->fx_r_type = BFD_RELOC_CKCORE_PCREL32;
 
-  rel = xmalloc (sizeof (arelent));
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = xmalloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   rel->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixP->fx_r_type);
   rel->addend = fixP->fx_offset;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-d10v.c b/gas/config/tc-d10v.c
index eeaf8bcd1bd..d6c2a47a0b5 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-d10v.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-d10v.c
@@ -1450,8 +1450,8 @@ arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-d30v.c b/gas/config/tc-d30v.c
index 1971e9227fb..d465b2a2214 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-d30v.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-d30v.c
@@ -1757,8 +1757,8 @@ arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-dlx.c b/gas/config/tc-dlx.c
index d77a36b19b4..a3922710a8b 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-dlx.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-dlx.c
@@ -1169,9 +1169,11 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 {
   arelent * reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixP->fx_r_type);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
 
+  reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixP->fx_r_type);
   if (reloc->howto == NULL)
     {
       as_bad_where (fixP->fx_file, fixP->fx_line,
@@ -1183,8 +1185,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 
   gas_assert (!fixP->fx_pcrel == !reloc->howto->pc_relative);
 
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
   if (fixP->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_ENTRY)
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-ft32.c b/gas/config/tc-ft32.c
index 8468df198af..4c177e0b2c6 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-ft32.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-ft32.c
@@ -690,9 +690,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
       return NULL;
     }
 
-  relP = XNEW (arelent);
-  gas_assert (relP != 0);
-  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  relP = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *relP->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   relP->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-h8300.c b/gas/config/tc-h8300.c
index f1dd69edf25..f8e54064166 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-h8300.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-h8300.c
@@ -2300,8 +2300,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 	}
     }
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   rel->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   rel->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-hppa.c b/gas/config/tc-hppa.c
index 9124e41fcd7..80a142fa466 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-hppa.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-hppa.c
@@ -1348,18 +1348,13 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
   int n_relocs;
   int i;
 
-  hppa_fixp = (struct hppa_fix_struct *) fixp->tc_fix_data;
   if (fixp->fx_addsy == 0)
     return &no_relocs;
 
+  hppa_fixp = (struct hppa_fix_struct *) fixp->tc_fix_data;
   gas_assert (hppa_fixp != 0);
   gas_assert (section != 0);
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-
   /* Allow fixup_segment to recognize hand-written pc-relative relocations.
      When we went through cons_fix_new_hppa, we classified them as complex.  */
   /* ??? It might be better to hide this +8 stuff in tc_cfi_emit_pcrel_expr,
@@ -1388,11 +1383,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
   for (n_relocs = 0; codes[n_relocs]; n_relocs++)
     ;
 
-  relocs = XNEWVEC (arelent *, n_relocs + 1);
-  reloc = XNEWVEC (arelent, n_relocs);
+  relocs = notes_alloc (sizeof (*relocs) * (n_relocs + 1));
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (*reloc) * n_relocs);
   for (i = 0; i < n_relocs; i++)
     relocs[i] = &reloc[i];
-
   relocs[n_relocs] = NULL;
 
 #ifdef OBJ_ELF
@@ -1447,7 +1441,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
 	  break;
 	}
 
-      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput,
 					    (bfd_reloc_code_real_type) code);
@@ -1463,7 +1457,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
     {
       code = *codes[i];
 
-      relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       *relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       relocs[i]->howto =
 	bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput,
@@ -1477,20 +1471,12 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
 	     of two symbols.  With that in mind we fill in all four
 	     relocs now and break out of the loop.  */
 	  gas_assert (i == 1);
+	  /* relocs[0] and relocs[1] have been initialised above.  We can
+	     use relocs[0]->sym_ptr_ptr allocation for relocs[2].  */
+	  relocs[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = relocs[0]->sym_ptr_ptr;
 	  relocs[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = &bfd_abs_section_ptr->symbol;
-	  relocs[0]->howto
-	    = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput,
-				     (bfd_reloc_code_real_type) *codes[0]);
-	  relocs[0]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 	  relocs[0]->addend = 0;
-	  relocs[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-	  *relocs[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-	  relocs[1]->howto
-	    = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput,
-				     (bfd_reloc_code_real_type) *codes[1]);
-	  relocs[1]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 	  relocs[1]->addend = 0;
-	  relocs[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
 	  *relocs[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
 	  relocs[2]->howto
 	    = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput,
@@ -1543,7 +1529,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
 	case R_N0SEL:
 	case R_N1SEL:
 	  /* There is no symbol or addend associated with these fixups.  */
-	  relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
 	  *relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (dummy_symbol);
 	  relocs[i]->addend = 0;
 	  break;
@@ -1552,7 +1537,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
 	case R_ENTRY:
 	case R_EXIT:
 	  /* There is no symbol associated with these fixups.  */
-	  relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
 	  *relocs[i]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (dummy_symbol);
 	  relocs[i]->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
 	  break;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-i386.c b/gas/config/tc-i386.c
index cd57972086c..09c0d2154e1 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-i386.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-i386.c
@@ -18169,8 +18169,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       code = BFD_RELOC_X86_64_GOTPC64;
     }
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
 
   rel->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-ia64.c b/gas/config/tc-ia64.c
index 5b714ccefdb..b50823270aa 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-ia64.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-ia64.c
@@ -11515,8 +11515,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
@@ -11527,7 +11527,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("Cannot represent %s relocation in object file"),
 		    bfd_get_reloc_code_name (fixp->fx_r_type));
-      free (reloc);
       return NULL;
     }
   return reloc;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-kvx.c b/gas/config/tc-kvx.c
index 3f641dbff81..02887453b42 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-kvx.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-kvx.c
@@ -1914,9 +1914,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = (arelent *) xmalloc (sizeof (arelent));
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = (asymbol **) xmalloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-loongarch.c b/gas/config/tc-loongarch.c
index 3ddb7bcf7a7..b0bcdebdd10 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-loongarch.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-loongarch.c
@@ -1879,9 +1879,10 @@ md_estimate_size_before_relax (fragS *fragp, asection *sec)
 arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
-  arelent *reloc = (arelent *) xmalloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = (asymbol **) xmalloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-m32c.c b/gas/config/tc-m32c.c
index c46162b5c26..b5887b1c6b3 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-m32c.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-m32c.c
@@ -1032,11 +1032,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec, fixS *fx)
       || fx->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_M32C_RL_1ADDR
       || fx->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_M32C_RL_2ADDR)
     {
-      arelent * reloc;
+      arelent *reloc;
 
-      reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fx->fx_addsy);
       reloc->address = fx->fx_frag->fr_address + fx->fx_where;
       reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fx->fx_r_type);
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-m32r.c b/gas/config/tc-m32r.c
index 4baa5dfd448..aa0acea7743 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-m32r.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-m32r.c
@@ -2193,9 +2193,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * section, fixS * fixP)
   arelent * reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
@@ -2268,7 +2267,7 @@ printf(" => %s",bfd_get_reloc_code_name(code));
 printf(" => %s\n",reloc->howto->name);
 #endif
 
- if (reloc->howto == (reloc_howto_type *) NULL)
+ if (reloc->howto == NULL)
     {
       as_bad_where (fixP->fx_file, fixP->fx_line,
             _("internal error: can't export reloc type %d (`%s')"),
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-m68hc11.c b/gas/config/tc-m68hc11.c
index cc6e86aba07..8c8035ce594 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-m68hc11.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-m68hc11.c
@@ -3830,8 +3830,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   if (fixp->fx_r_type == 0)
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-m68k.c b/gas/config/tc-m68k.c
index 4b24b162bad..1f8f9a8f3c7 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-m68k.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-m68k.c
@@ -1282,8 +1282,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 #undef F
 #undef MAP
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   if (!fixp->fx_pcrel)
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-mcore.c b/gas/config/tc-mcore.c
index b02f96ed086..1264577b361 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-mcore.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-mcore.c
@@ -2193,8 +2193,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       break;
   }
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   rel->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   /* Always pass the addend along!  */
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-metag.c b/gas/config/tc-metag.c
index 4d4c212020f..bf084f7df13 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-metag.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-metag.c
@@ -7001,10 +7001,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc		      = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr  = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-  reloc->address      = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+  reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
@@ -7015,9 +7015,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 		    /* xgettext:c-format.  */
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
 		    (int) fixp->fx_r_type);
-
-      xfree (reloc);
-
       return NULL;
     }
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-microblaze.c b/gas/config/tc-microblaze.c
index 97ffe23e3a5..5774eeaefb8 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-microblaze.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-microblaze.c
@@ -2533,8 +2533,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       break;
     }
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
 
   if (code == BFD_RELOC_MICROBLAZE_32_SYM_OP_SYM)
     *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-mips.c b/gas/config/tc-mips.c
index 7024744167b..3c338343611 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-mips.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-mips.c
@@ -18381,9 +18381,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  memset (retval, 0, sizeof(retval));
-  reloc = retval[0] = XCNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  memset (retval, 0, sizeof (retval));
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  retval[0] = reloc;
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-mmix.c b/gas/config/tc-mmix.c
index 50f17eb44fc..a43774d755c 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-mmix.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-mmix.c
@@ -2878,9 +2878,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
       return NULL;
     }
 
-  relP = XNEW (arelent);
-  gas_assert (relP != 0);
-  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  relP = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *relP->sym_ptr_ptr = baddsy;
   relP->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-mn10200.c b/gas/config/tc-mn10200.c
index 8ce261b1e5c..d630929f8c6 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-mn10200.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-mn10200.c
@@ -748,7 +748,10 @@ arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
 
   if (fixp->fx_subsy != NULL)
     {
@@ -774,8 +777,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       return NULL;
     }
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
   return reloc;
 }
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-mn10300.c b/gas/config/tc-mn10300.c
index e6e0593e05c..08f6a1c6aef 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-mn10300.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-mn10300.c
@@ -2169,7 +2169,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   static arelent * relocs[MAX_RELOC_EXPANSION + 1];
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
 
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
   if (reloc->howto == NULL)
@@ -2177,8 +2177,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
 		    (int) fixp->fx_r_type);
-      free (reloc);
-      return & no_relocs;
+      return &no_relocs;
     }
 
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
@@ -2205,7 +2204,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 	 even local symbols defined in the same section.  */
       if (ssec != absolute_section || asec != absolute_section)
 	{
-	  arelent * reloc2 = XNEW (arelent);
+	  arelent *reloc2 = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
 
 	  relocs[0] = reloc2;
 	  relocs[1] = reloc;
@@ -2213,7 +2212,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 	  reloc2->address = reloc->address;
 	  reloc2->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_MN10300_SYM_DIFF);
 	  reloc2->addend = - S_GET_VALUE (fixp->fx_subsy);
-	  reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+	  reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
 	  *reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
 
 	  reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
@@ -2224,7 +2223,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 	    }
 	  else
 	    {
-	      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+	      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
 	      *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
 	    }
 
@@ -2262,13 +2261,12 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 	      return relocs;
 	    }
 
-	  free (reloc);
-	  return & no_relocs;
+	  return &no_relocs;
 	}
     }
   else
     {
-      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
     }
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-moxie.c b/gas/config/tc-moxie.c
index e4ab416ecd8..28bed87536c 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-moxie.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-moxie.c
@@ -777,8 +777,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
       return 0;
     }
 
-  relP = XNEW (arelent);
-  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  relP = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  relP->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *relP->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   relP->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-msp430.c b/gas/config/tc-msp430.c
index 69159b219c7..f5c864e4016 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-msp430.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-msp430.c
@@ -4629,23 +4629,22 @@ S_IS_GAS_LOCAL (symbolS * s)
    then it is done here.  */
 
 arelent **
-tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
+tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
-  static arelent * no_relocs = NULL;
-  static arelent * relocs[MAX_RELOC_EXPANSION + 1];
+  static arelent *no_relocs = NULL;
+  static arelent *relocs[MAX_RELOC_EXPANSION + 1];
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
 
-  if (reloc->howto == (reloc_howto_type *) NULL)
+  if (reloc->howto == NULL)
     {
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
 		    (int) fixp->fx_r_type);
-      free (reloc);
-      return & no_relocs;
+      return &no_relocs;
     }
 
   relocs[0] = reloc;
@@ -4686,7 +4685,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	  && ! S_IS_GAS_LOCAL (fixp->fx_addsy)
 	  && ! S_IS_GAS_LOCAL (fixp->fx_subsy))
 	{
-	  arelent * reloc2 = XNEW (arelent);
+	  arelent *reloc2 = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
 
 	  relocs[0] = reloc2;
 	  relocs[1] = reloc;
@@ -4700,7 +4699,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	    reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = &bfd_abs_section_ptr->symbol;
 	  else
 	    {
-	      reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+	      reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
 	      *reloc2->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
 	    }
 
@@ -4712,7 +4711,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	    }
 	  else
 	    {
-	      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+	      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
 	      *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
 	    }
 
@@ -4750,8 +4749,7 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	      return relocs;
 	    }
 
-	  free (reloc);
-	  return & no_relocs;
+	  return &no_relocs;
 	}
     }
   else
@@ -4764,11 +4762,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	  char *fixpos = fixp->fx_where + fixp->fx_frag->fr_literal;
 
 	  md_number_to_chars (fixpos, amount, 2);
-	  free (reloc);
-	  return & no_relocs;
+	  return &no_relocs;
 	}
 #endif
-      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-nds32.c b/gas/config/tc-nds32.c
index 41a0739cf21..3de27fdcea9 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-nds32.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-nds32.c
@@ -7826,9 +7826,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-ns32k.c b/gas/config/tc-ns32k.c
index 8a417ef8d98..ba30e247dc1 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-ns32k.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-ns32k.c
@@ -2226,8 +2226,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 
   code = reloc (fixp->fx_size, fixp->fx_pcrel, fix_im_disp (fixp));
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   rel->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   if (fixp->fx_pcrel)
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-or1k.c b/gas/config/tc-or1k.c
index 1ff5a60659d..5b3e0130628 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-or1k.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-or1k.c
@@ -298,9 +298,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * section, fixS * fixp)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-pdp11.c b/gas/config/tc-pdp11.c
index 1168b35957c..2ae671082ec 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-pdp11.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-pdp11.c
@@ -1430,9 +1430,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-pj.c b/gas/config/tc-pj.c
index 7a8164eaec8..c1243728301 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-pj.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-pj.c
@@ -473,8 +473,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   arelent *rel;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type r_type;
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   rel->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-ppc.c b/gas/config/tc-ppc.c
index 9c8b15700d4..1ff1175d02a 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-ppc.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-ppc.c
@@ -7747,17 +7747,17 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   static arelent *relocs[3];
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  relocs[0] = reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  relocs[0] = reloc;
   relocs[1] = NULL;
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   /* BFD_RELOC_PPC64_TLS_PCREL generates R_PPC64_TLS with an odd r_offset.  */
   if (fixp->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_PPC64_TLS_PCREL)
     reloc->address++;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
-  if (reloc->howto == (reloc_howto_type *) NULL)
+  if (reloc->howto == NULL)
     {
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
@@ -7768,10 +7768,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 
   if (fixp->fx_subsy != NULL)
     {
-      relocs[1] = reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+      reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+      relocs[1] = reloc;
       relocs[2] = NULL;
-
-      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
       *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
       reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
@@ -7781,15 +7781,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       if (reloc->howto == (reloc_howto_type *) NULL)
         {
 	  as_bad_subtract (fixp);
-	  free (relocs[1]->sym_ptr_ptr);
-	  free (relocs[1]);
-	  free (relocs[0]->sym_ptr_ptr);
-	  free (relocs[0]);
 	  relocs[0] = NULL;
         }
     }
 
-
   return relocs;
 }
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-pru.c b/gas/config/tc-pru.c
index ea49d55eee8..abf7870bdb0 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-pru.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-pru.c
@@ -1766,10 +1766,11 @@ pru_fix_adjustable (fixS *fixp)
 arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
-  arelent *reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
+  arelent *reloc;
 
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;  /* fixp->fx_addnumber; */
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-riscv.c b/gas/config/tc-riscv.c
index e7473082c2c..a915c8b4995 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-riscv.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-riscv.c
@@ -5200,9 +5200,10 @@ md_estimate_size_before_relax (fragS *fragp, asection *segtype)
 arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
-  arelent *reloc = (arelent *) xmalloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = (asymbol **) xmalloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_addnumber;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-rl78.c b/gas/config/tc-rl78.c
index 89f4bb99666..bcdc87399d3 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-rl78.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-rl78.c
@@ -1257,11 +1257,11 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       fixp->fx_subsy = NULL;
     }
 
-  reloc[0]		  = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  * reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-  reloc[0]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-  reloc[0]->addend        = fixp->fx_offset;
+  reloc[0] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
+  reloc[0]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+  reloc[0]->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
 
   if (fixp->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_RL78_32_OP
       && fixp->fx_subsy)
@@ -1269,13 +1269,13 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       fixp->fx_r_type = BFD_RELOC_RL78_DIFF;
     }
 
-#define OPX(REL,SYM,ADD)							\
-  reloc[rp]		   = XNEW (arelent);		\
-  reloc[rp]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);		\
-  reloc[rp]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, REL);		\
-  reloc[rp]->addend        = ADD;						\
-  * reloc[rp]->sym_ptr_ptr = SYM;						\
-  reloc[rp]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;	\
+#define OPX(REL,SYM,ADD)						\
+  reloc[rp] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));				\
+  reloc[rp]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));		\
+  reloc[rp]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, REL);		\
+  reloc[rp]->addend = ADD;						\
+  *reloc[rp]->sym_ptr_ptr = SYM;					\
+  reloc[rp]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;	\
   reloc[++rp] = NULL
 #define OPSYM(SYM) OPX(BFD_RELOC_RL78_SYM, SYM, 0)
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-rx.c b/gas/config/tc-rx.c
index 9927874c678..7a426d281df 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-rx.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-rx.c
@@ -2466,11 +2466,11 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       fixp->fx_subsy = NULL;
     }
 
-  reloc[0]		  = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);
-  * reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-  reloc[0]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-  reloc[0]->addend        = fixp->fx_offset;
+  reloc[0] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  *reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
+  reloc[0]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+  reloc[0]->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
 
   if (fixp->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_RX_32_OP
       && fixp->fx_subsy)
@@ -2487,54 +2487,54 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
   switch (fixp->fx_r_type)
     {
     case BFD_RELOC_RX_DIFF:
-      reloc[0]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
-
-      reloc[1]		      = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);
-      * reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
-      reloc[1]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-      reloc[1]->addend        = 0;
-      reloc[1]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
-
-      reloc[2]		      = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[2]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
-      reloc[2]->addend        = 0;
-      reloc[2]->sym_ptr_ptr   = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[2]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-
-      reloc[3]		      = XNEW (arelent);
+      reloc[0]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+
+      reloc[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+      *reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_subsy);
+      reloc[1]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[1]->addend = 0;
+      reloc[1]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+
+      reloc[2] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[2]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
+      reloc[2]->addend = 0;
+      reloc[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
+      reloc[2]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+
+      reloc[3] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
       switch (fixp->fx_size)
 	{
 	case 1:
-	  reloc[3]->howto   = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS8);
+	  reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS8);
 	  break;
 	case 2:
 	  if (!is_opcode && target_big_endian)
-	    reloc[3]->howto   = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16_REV);
+	    reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16_REV);
 	  else if (is_opcode)
-	    reloc[3]->howto   = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16UL);
+	    reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16UL);
 	  else
-	    reloc[3]->howto   = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16);
+	    reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16);
 	  break;
 	case 4:
 	  if (!is_opcode && target_big_endian)
-	    reloc[3]->howto   = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS32_REV);
+	    reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS32_REV);
 	  else
-	    reloc[3]->howto   = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS32);
+	    reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS32);
 	  break;
 	}
-      reloc[3]->addend      = 0;
+      reloc[3]->addend = 0;
       reloc[3]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[3]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[3]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
       reloc[4] = NULL;
       break;
 
     case BFD_RELOC_RX_GPRELL:
-      reloc[0]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+      reloc[0]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
 
-      reloc[1]		      = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       if (gp_symbol == NULL)
 	{
 	  if (symbol_table_frozen)
@@ -2550,31 +2550,31 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	  else
 	    gp_symbol = symbol_get_bfdsym (symbol_find_or_make ("__gp"));
 	}
-      * reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = gp_symbol;
-      reloc[1]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-      reloc[1]->addend        = 0;
-      reloc[1]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
-
-      reloc[2]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[2]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
-      reloc[2]->addend      = 0;
+      *reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = gp_symbol;
+      reloc[1]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[1]->addend = 0;
+      reloc[1]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+
+      reloc[2] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[2]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
+      reloc[2]->addend = 0;
       reloc[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[2]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[2]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
-      reloc[3]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[3]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16UL);
-      reloc[3]->addend      = 0;
+      reloc[3] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16UL);
+      reloc[3]->addend = 0;
       reloc[3]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[3]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[3]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
       reloc[4] = NULL;
       break;
 
     case BFD_RELOC_RX_GPRELW:
-      reloc[0]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+      reloc[0]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
 
-      reloc[1]		      = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       if (gp_symbol == NULL)
 	{
 	  if (symbol_table_frozen)
@@ -2590,31 +2590,31 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	  else
 	    gp_symbol = symbol_get_bfdsym (symbol_find_or_make ("__gp"));
 	}
-      * reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = gp_symbol;
-      reloc[1]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-      reloc[1]->addend        = 0;
-      reloc[1]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
-
-      reloc[2]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[2]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
-      reloc[2]->addend      = 0;
+      *reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = gp_symbol;
+      reloc[1]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[1]->addend = 0;
+      reloc[1]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+
+      reloc[2] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[2]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
+      reloc[2]->addend = 0;
       reloc[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[2]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[2]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
-      reloc[3]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[3]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16UW);
-      reloc[3]->addend      = 0;
+      reloc[3] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16UW);
+      reloc[3]->addend = 0;
       reloc[3]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[3]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[3]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
       reloc[4] = NULL;
       break;
 
     case BFD_RELOC_RX_GPRELB:
-      reloc[0]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+      reloc[0]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
 
-      reloc[1]		      = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr   = XNEW (asymbol *);
+      reloc[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       if (gp_symbol == NULL)
 	{
 	  if (symbol_table_frozen)
@@ -2630,40 +2630,40 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 	  else
 	    gp_symbol = symbol_get_bfdsym (symbol_find_or_make ("__gp"));
 	}
-      * reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = gp_symbol;
-      reloc[1]->address       = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-      reloc[1]->addend        = 0;
-      reloc[1]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
-
-      reloc[2]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[2]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
-      reloc[2]->addend      = 0;
+      *reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = gp_symbol;
+      reloc[1]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[1]->addend = 0;
+      reloc[1]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+
+      reloc[2] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[2]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_SUBTRACT);
+      reloc[2]->addend = 0;
       reloc[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[2]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[2]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
-      reloc[3]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[3]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16U);
-      reloc[3]->addend      = 0;
+      reloc[3] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[3]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS16U);
+      reloc[3]->addend = 0;
       reloc[3]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[3]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[3]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
       reloc[4] = NULL;
       break;
 
     case BFD_RELOC_RX_NEG32:
-      reloc[0]->howto         = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
+      reloc[0]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_SYM);
 
-      reloc[1]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[1]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_NEG);
-      reloc[1]->addend      = 0;
+      reloc[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[1]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_OP_NEG);
+      reloc[1]->addend = 0;
       reloc[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[1]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[1]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
-      reloc[2]		    = XNEW (arelent);
-      reloc[2]->howto       = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS32);
-      reloc[2]->addend      = 0;
+      reloc[2] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc[2]->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, BFD_RELOC_RX_ABS32);
+      reloc[2]->addend = 0;
       reloc[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = reloc[0]->sym_ptr_ptr;
-      reloc[2]->address     = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+      reloc[2]->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
       reloc[3] = NULL;
       break;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-s12z.c b/gas/config/tc-s12z.c
index 468410e10ae..3e07ea7c7a7 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-s12z.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-s12z.c
@@ -3884,8 +3884,10 @@ md_estimate_size_before_relax (fragS *fragP ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, asection *segment
 arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
 {
-  arelent *reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  arelent *reloc;
+
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-s390.c b/gas/config/tc-s390.c
index 9b1c9947bd1..e7a7e7e04f1 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-s390.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-s390.c
@@ -2824,8 +2824,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 	code = BFD_RELOC_390_GOTPCDBL;
     }
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, code);
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-score.c b/gas/config/tc-score.c
index c47308af3ce..62bd9ab4a1f 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-score.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-score.c
@@ -7311,10 +7311,10 @@ s3_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
   const char *type;
 
-  reloc = retval[0] = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  retval[0] = reloc;
   retval[1] = NULL;
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
@@ -7342,9 +7342,9 @@ s3_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       newval |= (((off >> 14) & 0x3) << 16);
       s3_md_number_to_chars (buf, newval, s3_INSN_SIZE);
 
-      retval[1] = XNEW (arelent);
+      retval[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      retval[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       retval[2] = NULL;
-      retval[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
       *retval[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       retval[1]->address = (reloc->address + s3_RELAX_RELOC2 (fixp->fx_frag->fr_subtype));
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-score7.c b/gas/config/tc-score7.c
index 38082a35e0d..07177954e5b 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-score7.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-score7.c
@@ -6813,10 +6813,10 @@ s7_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
   const char *type;
 
-  reloc = retval[0] = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  retval[0] = reloc;
   retval[1] = NULL;
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
@@ -6844,9 +6844,9 @@ s7_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
       newval |= (((off >> 14) & 0x3) << 16);
       s7_number_to_chars (buf, newval, s7_INSN_SIZE);
 
-      retval[1] = XNEW (arelent);
+      retval[1] = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      retval[2]->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
       retval[2] = NULL;
-      retval[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
       *retval[1]->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
       retval[1]->address = (reloc->address + s7_RELAX_RELOC2 (fixp->fx_frag->fr_subtype));
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-sh.c b/gas/config/tc-sh.c
index e974a38d1a5..fe720e7eae9 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-sh.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-sh.c
@@ -3838,8 +3838,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   arelent *rel;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type r_type;
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   rel->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-sparc.c b/gas/config/tc-sparc.c
index 484746b9528..c6f8026e5c1 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-sparc.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-sparc.c
@@ -3834,10 +3834,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  relocs[0] = reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  relocs[0] = reloc;
   relocs[1] = NULL;
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
@@ -4014,7 +4014,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("internal error: can't export reloc type %d (`%s')"),
 		    fixp->fx_r_type, bfd_get_reloc_code_name (code));
-      xfree (reloc);
       relocs[0] = NULL;
       return relocs;
     }
@@ -4040,10 +4039,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixp)
      on the same location.  */
   if (code == BFD_RELOC_SPARC_OLO10)
     {
-      relocs[1] = reloc = XNEW (arelent);
+      reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+      relocs[1] = reloc;
       relocs[2] = NULL;
-
-      reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
       *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr
 	= symbol_get_bfdsym (section_symbol (absolute_section));
       reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-spu.c b/gas/config/tc-spu.c
index 37484651357..8dba224a952 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-spu.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-spu.c
@@ -867,8 +867,8 @@ arelent *
 tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
@@ -877,8 +877,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
 		    (int) fixp->fx_r_type);
-      free (reloc->sym_ptr_ptr);
-      free (reloc);
       return NULL;
     }
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_addnumber;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-tic30.c b/gas/config/tc-tic30.c
index 8e3b1a0ad74..21efe8a6d50 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-tic30.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-tic30.c
@@ -1367,9 +1367,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
 #undef MAP
 #undef F
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  gas_assert (rel != 0);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   rel->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
   rel->addend = 0;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-tic4x.c b/gas/config/tc-tic4x.c
index 93cbd660b00..c8afd1638a1 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-tic4x.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-tic4x.c
@@ -2998,9 +2998,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixP)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
   reloc->address /= OCTETS_PER_BYTE;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-tic54x.c b/gas/config/tc-tic54x.c
index b0d98f1ab4a..ee95eb222a8 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-tic54x.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-tic54x.c
@@ -5095,8 +5095,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section, fixS *fixP)
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code = fixP->fx_r_type;
   asymbol *sym = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixP->fx_addsy);
 
-  rel = XNEW (arelent);
-  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  rel = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  rel->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *rel->sym_ptr_ptr = sym;
   /* We assume that all rel->address are host byte offsets.  */
   rel->address = fixP->fx_frag->fr_address + fixP->fx_where;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-tic6x.c b/gas/config/tc-tic6x.c
index c5256bf9f0d..b256ddf34df 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-tic6x.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-tic6x.c
@@ -4500,8 +4500,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   asymbol *symbol;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type r_type;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   symbol = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol;
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-tilegx.c b/gas/config/tc-tilegx.c
index 2f468a6181b..b63567ba0f7 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-tilegx.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-tilegx.c
@@ -1729,8 +1729,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-tilepro.c b/gas/config/tc-tilepro.c
index 43371d8d6fd..38666adc028 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-tilepro.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-tilepro.c
@@ -1506,8 +1506,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-v850.c b/gas/config/tc-v850.c
index 688ec1e9893..d907211ce18 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-v850.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-v850.c
@@ -3329,10 +3329,10 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc		      = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr  = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-  reloc->address      = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+  reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
   if (   fixp->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_ENTRY
       || fixp->fx_r_type == BFD_RELOC_VTABLE_INHERIT
@@ -3359,9 +3359,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 		    /* xgettext:c-format  */
 		    _("reloc %d not supported by object file format"),
 		    (int) fixp->fx_r_type);
-
-      xfree (reloc);
-
       return NULL;
     }
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-vax.c b/gas/config/tc-vax.c
index e67dac40a70..d6d5569105d 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-vax.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-vax.c
@@ -2345,8 +2345,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 #undef F
 #undef MAP
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 #ifndef OBJ_ELF
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-visium.c b/gas/config/tc-visium.c
index ae3dbdae03e..975a0c848d4 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-visium.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-visium.c
@@ -111,9 +111,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
   arelent *reloc;
   bfd_reloc_code_real_type code;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-wasm32.c b/gas/config/tc-wasm32.c
index 5a6a264d0b2..e7db729c5f3 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-wasm32.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-wasm32.c
@@ -797,8 +797,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * sec ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = (arelent *) xmalloc (sizeof (*reloc));
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = (asymbol **) xmalloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-xgate.c b/gas/config/tc-xgate.c
index eaf8202c348..1c98f2dffb6 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-xgate.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-xgate.c
@@ -614,8 +614,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection * section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS * fixp)
 {
   arelent * reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-xtensa.c b/gas/config/tc-xtensa.c
index 11032c9b5f5..25599f8eb3c 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-xtensa.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-xtensa.c
@@ -6158,8 +6158,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
 
@@ -6175,8 +6175,6 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, fixS *fixp)
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
 		    _("cannot represent `%s' relocation in object file"),
 		    bfd_get_reloc_code_name (fixp->fx_r_type));
-      free (reloc->sym_ptr_ptr);
-      free (reloc);
       return NULL;
     }
 
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-z80.c b/gas/config/tc-z80.c
index 767faa4bd95..3805e32b15a 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-z80.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-z80.c
@@ -3859,12 +3859,12 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *seg ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED , fixS *fixp)
       return NULL;
     }
 
-  reloc               = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr  = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
-  reloc->address      = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
-  reloc->addend       = fixp->fx_offset;
-  reloc->howto        = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
+  reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
+  reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
+  reloc->howto = bfd_reloc_type_lookup (stdoutput, fixp->fx_r_type);
   if (reloc->howto == NULL)
     {
       as_bad_where (fixp->fx_file, fixp->fx_line,
diff --git a/gas/config/tc-z8k.c b/gas/config/tc-z8k.c
index 8f2d62c067f..75fbabb09f5 100644
--- a/gas/config/tc-z8k.c
+++ b/gas/config/tc-z8k.c
@@ -1375,8 +1375,8 @@ tc_gen_reloc (asection *section ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED,
 {
   arelent *reloc;
 
-  reloc = XNEW (arelent);
-  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = XNEW (asymbol *);
+  reloc = notes_alloc (sizeof (arelent));
+  reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = notes_alloc (sizeof (asymbol *));
   *reloc->sym_ptr_ptr = symbol_get_bfdsym (fixp->fx_addsy);
   reloc->address = fixp->fx_frag->fr_address + fixp->fx_where;
   reloc->addend = fixp->fx_offset;
diff --git a/gas/write.c b/gas/write.c
index cde6041536a..d96d8c20dbd 100644
--- a/gas/write.c
+++ b/gas/write.c
@@ -1294,7 +1294,7 @@ write_relocs (bfd *abfd ATTRIBUTE_UNUSED, asection *sec,
 	rp = &r->next;
     }
 
-  relocs = XCNEWVEC (arelent *, n);
+  relocs = notes_alloc (n * sizeof (arelent *));
 
   n = 0;
   r = my_reloc_list;
