diff --git a/src/lib/commands/offe.c b/src/lib/commands/offe.c
index 2c8c2286..50e28346 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/offe.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/offe.c
@@ -134,8 +134,7 @@ do_treaty(void)
 	    break;
 	}
     }
-    trty.ef_type = EF_TREATY;
-    trty.trt_uid = nstr.cur;
+    ef_blank(EF_TREATY, nstr.cur, &trty);
     trty.trt_acond = ourcond;
     trty.trt_bcond = theircond;
     trty.trt_status = TS_PROPOSED;
@@ -220,6 +219,7 @@ do_loan(void)
 	if (loan.l_status == LS_FREE)
 	    break;
     }
+    ef_blank(EF_LOAN, nstr.cur, &loan);
     loan.l_loner = player->cnum;
     loan.l_lonee = recipient;
     loan.l_status = LS_PROPOSED;
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/sell.c b/src/lib/commands/sell.c
index 57b3c3bd..9f7726d4 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/sell.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/sell.c
@@ -143,9 +143,8 @@ sell(void)
 	    if (comm.com_owner == 0)
 		break;
 	}
-	if (getcomm(ii, &comm) == 0)
-	    ef_extend(EF_COMM, 1);
 	(void)time(&now);
+	ef_blank(EF_COMM, ii, &comm);
 	comm.com_type = ip->i_uid;
 	comm.com_owner = player->cnum;
 	comm.com_price = price;
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/set.c b/src/lib/commands/set.c
index 20f86399..5f20a2c3 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/set.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/set.c
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ set(void)
 	    if (foundslot >= 0) {
 		pr("%s #%d (lot #%d) removed from trading\n",
 		   trade_nameof(&trade, &item), ni.cur, foundslot);
-		memset(&trade, 0, sizeof(trade));
+		trade.trd_owner = 0;
 		puttrade(ni_trade.cur, &trade);
 	    }
 	} else {
@@ -121,10 +121,9 @@ set(void)
 		id = foundslot;
 	    else if (freeslot >= 0)
 		id = freeslot;
-	    else {
-		ef_extend(EF_TRADE, 1);
+	    else
 		id = ni_trade.cur;
-	    }
+	    ef_blank(EF_TRADE, id, &trade);
 	    trade.trd_x = item.gen.x;
 	    trade.trd_y = item.gen.y;
 	    trade.trd_type = type;