diff --git a/sequencer.c b/sequencer.c
index 8d272fbdca..8d56a05277 100644
--- a/sequencer.c
+++ b/sequencer.c
@@ -114,9 +114,22 @@ static int has_conforming_footer(struct strbuf *sb, struct strbuf *sob,
 	return 1;
 }
 
+void *sequencer_entrust(struct replay_opts *opts, void *to_free)
+{
+	ALLOC_GROW(opts->owned, opts->owned_nr + 1, opts->owned_alloc);
+	opts->owned[opts->owned_nr++] = to_free;
+
+	return to_free;
+}
+
 static void remove_sequencer_state(const struct replay_opts *opts)
 {
 	struct strbuf dir = STRBUF_INIT;
+	int i;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < opts->owned_nr; i++)
+		free(opts->owned[i]);
+	free(opts->owned);
 
 	strbuf_addf(&dir, "%s", get_dir(opts));
 	remove_dir_recursively(&dir, 0);
diff --git a/sequencer.h b/sequencer.h
index dd4d33a572..04892a9c20 100644
--- a/sequencer.h
+++ b/sequencer.h
@@ -43,9 +43,19 @@ struct replay_opts {
 
 	/* Only used by REPLAY_NONE */
 	struct rev_info *revs;
+
+	/* malloc()ed data entrusted to the sequencer */
+	void **owned;
+	int owned_nr, owned_alloc;
 };
 #define REPLAY_OPTS_INIT { -1, -1 }
 
+/*
+ * Make it the duty of sequencer_remove_state() to release the memory;
+ * For ease of use, return the same pointer.
+ */
+void *sequencer_entrust(struct replay_opts *opts, void *to_free);
+
 int sequencer_pick_revisions(struct replay_opts *opts);
 
 extern const char sign_off_header[];