diff --git a/daemon/db.c b/daemon/db.c
index 94ca4907f..f979b3ef9 100644
--- a/daemon/db.c
+++ b/daemon/db.c
@@ -222,13 +222,14 @@ static void db_load_wallet(struct lightningd_state *dstate)
 void db_add_wallet_privkey(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 			   const struct privkey *privkey)
 {
-	char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
 	if (!db_exec(__func__, dstate,
 		      "INSERT INTO wallet VALUES (x'%s');",
 		     tal_hexstr(ctx, privkey, sizeof(*privkey))))
 		fatal("db_add_wallet_privkey failed");
+	tal_free(ctx);
 }
 
 static void load_peer_secrets(struct peer *peer)
@@ -236,7 +237,7 @@ static void load_peer_secrets(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *select;
 	bool secrets_set = false;
 
@@ -276,7 +277,7 @@ static void load_peer_anchor(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *select;
 	bool anchor_set = false;
 
@@ -320,7 +321,7 @@ static void load_peer_visible_state(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *select;
 	bool visible_set = false;
 
@@ -385,7 +386,7 @@ static void load_peer_commit_info(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *select;
 
 	select = tal_fmt(ctx,
@@ -492,7 +493,7 @@ static void load_peer_htlcs(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *select;
 	bool to_them_only, to_us_only;
 
@@ -662,7 +663,7 @@ static void connect_htlc_src(struct lightningd_state *dstate)
 	sqlite3 *sql = dstate->db->sql;
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
-	char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	const char *select;
 
 	select = tal_fmt(ctx,
@@ -769,7 +770,7 @@ static void load_peer_shachain(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	bool shachain_found = false;
 	const char *select;
 
@@ -818,7 +819,7 @@ static void load_peer_closing(struct peer *peer)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = peer->dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	bool closing_found = false;
 	const char *select;
 
@@ -1012,7 +1013,7 @@ static void db_load_pay(struct lightningd_state *dstate)
 {
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
-	char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 
 	err = sqlite3_prepare_v2(dstate->db->sql, "SELECT * FROM pay;", -1,
 				 &stmt, NULL);
@@ -1082,7 +1083,7 @@ static void db_load_invoice(struct lightningd_state *dstate)
 {
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
-	char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 
 	err = sqlite3_prepare_v2(dstate->db->sql, "SELECT * FROM invoice;", -1,
 				 &stmt, NULL);
@@ -1118,7 +1119,7 @@ static void db_load_addresses(struct lightningd_state *dstate)
 	int err;
 	sqlite3_stmt *stmt;
 	sqlite3 *sql = dstate->db->sql;
-	char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	const char *select;
 
 	select = tal_fmt(ctx, "SELECT * FROM peer_address;");
@@ -1268,7 +1269,7 @@ void db_init(struct lightningd_state *dstate)
 
 void db_set_anchor(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid;
 
 	assert(peer->dstate->db->in_transaction);
@@ -1315,7 +1316,7 @@ void db_set_anchor(struct peer *peer)
 
 bool db_set_visible_state(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *errmsg, *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *errmsg, *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1343,7 +1344,7 @@ bool db_set_visible_state(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_update_next_revocation_hash(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s):%s", __func__, peerid,
@@ -1360,7 +1361,7 @@ void db_update_next_revocation_hash(struct peer *peer)
 
 bool db_create_peer(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *errmsg, *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *errmsg, *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1383,7 +1384,7 @@ bool db_create_peer(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_start_transaction(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1397,7 +1398,7 @@ void db_start_transaction(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_abort_transaction(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1409,7 +1410,7 @@ void db_abort_transaction(struct peer *peer)
 
 const char *db_commit_transaction(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1425,7 +1426,7 @@ const char *db_commit_transaction(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_new_htlc(struct peer *peer, const struct htlc *htlc)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1462,7 +1463,7 @@ void db_new_htlc(struct peer *peer, const struct htlc *htlc)
 
 void db_new_feechange(struct peer *peer, const struct feechange *feechange)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1481,7 +1482,7 @@ void db_new_feechange(struct peer *peer, const struct feechange *feechange)
 void db_update_htlc_state(struct peer *peer, const struct htlc *htlc,
 			  enum htlc_state oldstate)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s): %"PRIu64" %s->%s", __func__, peerid,
@@ -1500,7 +1501,7 @@ void db_update_feechange_state(struct peer *peer,
 			       const struct feechange *f,
 			       enum htlc_state oldstate)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s): %s->%s", __func__, peerid,
@@ -1533,7 +1534,7 @@ void db_remove_feechange(struct peer *peer, const struct feechange *feechange,
 
 void db_update_state(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1547,7 +1548,7 @@ void db_update_state(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_htlc_fulfilled(struct peer *peer, const struct htlc *htlc)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1565,7 +1566,7 @@ void db_htlc_fulfilled(struct peer *peer, const struct htlc *htlc)
 
 void db_htlc_failed(struct peer *peer, const struct htlc *htlc)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1585,7 +1586,7 @@ void db_new_commit_info(struct peer *peer, enum side side,
 			const struct sha256 *prev_rhash)
 {
 	struct commit_info *ci;
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1611,7 +1612,7 @@ void db_new_commit_info(struct peer *peer, enum side side,
 /* FIXME: Is this strictly necessary? */
 void db_remove_their_prev_revocation_hash(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1626,7 +1627,7 @@ void db_remove_their_prev_revocation_hash(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_save_shachain(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1641,7 +1642,7 @@ void db_save_shachain(struct peer *peer)
 void db_add_commit_map(struct peer *peer,
 		       const struct sha256_double *txid, u64 commit_num)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s),commit_num=%"PRIu64, __func__, peerid,
@@ -1660,7 +1661,7 @@ void db_add_commit_map(struct peer *peer,
 bool db_add_peer_address(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 			 const struct peer_address *addr)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	bool ok;
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
@@ -1677,7 +1678,7 @@ bool db_add_peer_address(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 
 void db_forget_peer(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 	size_t i;
 	const char *const tables[] = { "anchors", "htlcs", "commit_info", "shachain", "their_visible_state", "their_commitments", "peer_secrets", "closing", "peers" };
@@ -1700,7 +1701,7 @@ void db_forget_peer(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_begin_shutdown(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1714,7 +1715,7 @@ void db_begin_shutdown(struct peer *peer)
 
 void db_set_our_closing_script(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1730,7 +1731,7 @@ void db_set_our_closing_script(struct peer *peer)
 
 bool db_set_their_closing_script(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	bool ok;
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
@@ -1751,7 +1752,7 @@ bool db_set_their_closing_script(struct peer *peer)
 /* FIXME: make caller wrap in transaction. */
 void db_update_our_closing(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
 	log_debug(peer->log, "%s(%s)", __func__, peerid);
@@ -1766,7 +1767,7 @@ void db_update_our_closing(struct peer *peer)
 
 bool db_update_their_closing(struct peer *peer)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(peer, char);
+	const char *ctx = tal_tmpctx(peer);
 	bool ok;
 	const char *peerid = pubkey_to_hexstr(ctx, peer->dstate->secpctx, peer->id);
 
@@ -1790,7 +1791,7 @@ bool db_new_pay_command(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 			u64 msatoshi,
 			const struct htlc *htlc)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	bool ok;
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
@@ -1814,7 +1815,7 @@ bool db_replace_pay_command(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 			    u64 msatoshi,
 			    const struct htlc *htlc)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	bool ok;
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
@@ -1835,7 +1836,7 @@ bool db_replace_pay_command(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 void db_complete_pay_command(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 			     const struct htlc *htlc)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
 	log_add_struct(dstate->base_log, "(%s)", struct sha256, &htlc->rhash);
@@ -1860,7 +1861,7 @@ bool db_new_invoice(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 		    const char *label,
 		    const struct rval *r)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	bool ok;
 	
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
@@ -1881,7 +1882,7 @@ bool db_new_invoice(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 void db_resolve_invoice(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 			const char *label, u64 paid_num)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
 
@@ -1895,7 +1896,7 @@ void db_resolve_invoice(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 bool db_remove_invoice(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 		       const char *label)
 {
-	const char *ctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 	bool ok;
 
 	log_debug(dstate->base_log, "%s", __func__);
diff --git a/daemon/log.c b/daemon/log.c
index 1fd7ef038..64aa0a478 100644
--- a/daemon/log.c
+++ b/daemon/log.c
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ void log_struct_(struct log *log, int level,
 		 const char *structname,
 		 const char *fmt, ...)
 {
-	tal_t *ctx = tal(log, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(log);
 	char *s;
 	union loggable_structs u;
 	va_list ap;
diff --git a/daemon/timeout.c b/daemon/timeout.c
index 8f842cd73..43bd2ecbc 100644
--- a/daemon/timeout.c
+++ b/daemon/timeout.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "controlled_time.h"
 #include "lightningd.h"
 #include "timeout.h"
+#include "utils.h"
 
 struct oneshot {
 	struct lightningd_state *dstate;
@@ -44,9 +45,10 @@ struct oneshot *new_reltimer_(struct lightningd_state *dstate,
 void timer_expired(struct lightningd_state *dstate, struct timer *timer)
 {
 	struct oneshot *t = container_of(timer, struct oneshot, timer);
-	tal_t *tmpctx = tal(dstate, char);
+	const tal_t *tmpctx = tal_tmpctx(dstate);
 
 	/* If it doesn't free itself, freeing tmpctx will do it */
 	tal_steal(tmpctx, t);
 	t->cb(t->arg);
+	tal_free(tmpctx);
 }
diff --git a/test/test_protocol.c b/test/test_protocol.c
index c41cbd62f..b1617dc83 100644
--- a/test/test_protocol.c
+++ b/test/test_protocol.c
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 /* Simple simulator for protocol. */
 #include "config.h"
+#include "utils.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <ccan/array_size/array_size.h>
 #include <ccan/err/err.h>
@@ -412,7 +413,7 @@ static void dump_htlcs(struct htlc **htlcs,
 		       int flags_inc, int flags_exc)
 {
 	size_t i, n = tal_count(htlcs);
-	char *ctx = tal(htlcs, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(htlcs);
 	bool printed = false;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {
diff --git a/test/test_state_coverage.c b/test/test_state_coverage.c
index a9dd9d6b7..0c8a2ea0a 100644
--- a/test/test_state_coverage.c
+++ b/test/test_state_coverage.c
@@ -1815,7 +1815,7 @@ static void try_input(const struct peer *peer,
 	const char *problem;
 	Pkt *output;
 	const struct bitcoin_tx *broadcast;
-	const tal_t *ctx = tal(NULL, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(NULL);
 	enum command_status cstatus;
 
 	copy_peers(&copy, &other, peer);
@@ -2220,7 +2220,7 @@ static enum state_input **map_inputs(void)
 {
 	enum state_input **inps = tal_arr(NULL, enum state_input *, STATE_MAX);
 	unsigned int i;
-	const tal_t *ctx = tal(NULL, char);
+	const tal_t *ctx = tal_tmpctx(NULL);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < STATE_MAX; i++) {
 		/* This is a global */
diff --git a/utils.h b/utils.h
index 0fac3c7c8..cf6d0492a 100644
--- a/utils.h
+++ b/utils.h
@@ -10,4 +10,8 @@ char *tal_hexstr(const tal_t *ctx, const void *data, size_t len);
 /* Allocate and fill a buffer with the data of this hex string. */
 u8 *tal_hexdata(const tal_t *ctx, const void *str, size_t len);
 
+#define tal_tmpctx(ctx)							\
+	tal_alloc_((ctx), 0, false,					\
+		   __FILE__ ":" stringify(__LINE__) ":tal_tmpctx")
+
 #endif /* LIGHTNING_UTILS_H */