diff --git a/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_impl.hpp b/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_impl.hpp
index 126e80c6b..d12b4d312 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_impl.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_impl.hpp
@@ -613,18 +613,13 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 			void deferred_submit_jobs() override;
 
-			char* allocate_buffer() override;
+			ses_buffer_holder allocate_buffer() override;
 			torrent_peer* allocate_peer_entry(int type);
 			void free_peer_entry(torrent_peer* p);
 
 			void free_buffer(char* buf) override;
 			int send_buffer_size() const override { return send_buffer_size_impl; }
 
-			// implements buffer_allocator_interface
-			void free_disk_buffer(char* buf) override;
-			void reclaim_blocks(span<block_cache_reference> refs) override;
-			void do_reclaim_blocks();
-
 			// implements dht_observer
 			virtual void set_external_address(address const& ip
 				, address const& source) override;
@@ -1139,12 +1134,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 			// 5 minutes)
 			torrent_map::iterator m_next_lsd_torrent;
 
-			// we try to return disk buffers to the disk thread in batches, to
-			// avoid hammering its mutex. We accrue blocks here and defer returning
-			// them in a function we post to the io_service
-			std::vector<block_cache_reference> m_blocks_to_reclaim;
-			bool m_pending_block_reclaim = false;
-
 #ifndef TORRENT_DISABLE_DHT
 			// torrents are announced on the DHT in a
 			// round-robin fashion. All torrents are cycled through
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_interface.hpp b/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_interface.hpp
index 19e6f91de..3878ec4a4 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_interface.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/aux_/session_interface.hpp
@@ -118,13 +118,14 @@ namespace libtorrent { namespace aux
 	};
 #endif // TORRENT_DISABLE_LOGGING || TORRENT_USE_ASSERTS
 
+	struct ses_buffer_holder;
+
 	// TODO: 2 make this interface a lot smaller. It could be split up into
 	// several smaller interfaces. Each subsystem could then limit the size
 	// of the mock object to test it.
 	struct TORRENT_EXTRA_EXPORT session_interface
-		: buffer_allocator_interface
 #if !defined TORRENT_DISABLE_LOGGING || TORRENT_USE_ASSERTS
-		, session_logger
+		: session_logger
 #endif
 	{
 		// TODO: 2 the IP voting mechanism should be factored out
@@ -193,7 +194,7 @@ namespace libtorrent { namespace aux
 		virtual void close_connection(peer_connection* p, error_code const& ec) = 0;
 		virtual int num_connections() const = 0;
 
-		virtual char* allocate_buffer() = 0;
+		virtual ses_buffer_holder allocate_buffer() = 0;
 		virtual void free_buffer(char* buf) = 0;
 		virtual int send_buffer_size() const = 0;
 
@@ -321,6 +322,29 @@ namespace libtorrent { namespace aux
 	protected:
 		~session_interface() {}
 	};
+
+	struct ses_buffer_holder
+	{
+		ses_buffer_holder(session_interface& ses, char* buf)
+			: m_ses(&ses), m_buf(buf) {}
+		~ses_buffer_holder() { if (m_buf) m_ses->free_buffer(m_buf); }
+		ses_buffer_holder(ses_buffer_holder const&) = delete;
+		ses_buffer_holder& operator=(ses_buffer_holder const&) = delete;
+		ses_buffer_holder(ses_buffer_holder&& rhs) noexcept
+			: m_ses(rhs.m_ses), m_buf(rhs.m_buf) { rhs.m_buf = nullptr; }
+		ses_buffer_holder& operator=(ses_buffer_holder&& rhs) noexcept
+		{
+			if (m_buf) m_ses->free_buffer(m_buf);
+			m_buf = rhs.m_buf;
+			m_ses = rhs.m_ses;
+			rhs.m_buf = nullptr;
+			return *this;
+		}
+		char* get() const noexcept { return m_buf; }
+	private:
+		session_interface* m_ses;
+		char* m_buf;
+	};
 }}
 
 #endif
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/bt_peer_connection.hpp b/include/libtorrent/bt_peer_connection.hpp
index b7a0b1dcf..2facf40cd 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/bt_peer_connection.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/bt_peer_connection.hpp
@@ -309,17 +309,31 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		void rc4_decrypt(span<char> buf);
 #endif
 
-public:
+	public:
 
 		// these functions encrypt the send buffer if m_rc4_encrypted
 		// is true, otherwise it passes the call to the
 		// peer_connection functions of the same names
-		virtual void append_const_send_buffer(char const* buffer, int size
-			, chained_buffer::free_buffer_fun destructor = &nop
-			, void* userdata = nullptr, aux::block_cache_reference ref
-			= aux::block_cache_reference()) override;
+		template <typename Holder>
+		void append_const_send_buffer(Holder buffer, int size)
+		{
+#if !defined(TORRENT_DISABLE_ENCRYPTION) && !defined(TORRENT_DISABLE_EXTENSIONS)
+			if (!m_enc_handler.is_send_plaintext())
+			{
+				// if we're encrypting this buffer, we need to make a copy
+				// since we'll mutate it
+				std::unique_ptr<char[]> buf(new char[size]);
+				std::memcpy(buf.get(), buffer.get(), size);
+				append_send_buffer(std::move(buf), size);
+			}
+			else
+#endif
+			{
+				append_send_buffer(std::move(buffer), size);
+			}
+		}
 
-private:
+	private:
 
 		enum class state_t : std::uint8_t
 		{
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/chained_buffer.hpp b/include/libtorrent/chained_buffer.hpp
index 4a1fbb223..fa68690b0 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/chained_buffer.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/chained_buffer.hpp
@@ -45,6 +45,14 @@ POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 #include <boost/asio/buffer.hpp>
 #include "libtorrent/aux_/disable_warnings_pop.hpp"
 
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+// visual studio requires the value in a deque to be copyable or movable. C++11
+// only requires that when calling functions with those requirements
+#define TORRENT_CPP98_DEQUE 1
+#else
+#define TORRENT_CPP98_DEQUE 0
+#endif
+
 namespace libtorrent
 {
 	// TODO: 2 this type should probably be renamed to send_buffer
@@ -58,14 +66,54 @@ namespace libtorrent
 #endif
 		}
 
-		// destructs/frees the buffer (1st arg) with
-		// 2nd argument as userdata
-		typedef void (*free_buffer_fun)(char*, void*, aux::block_cache_reference ref);
+	private:
+
+		// destructs/frees the holder object
+		using destruct_holder_fun = void (*)(void*);
+		using move_construct_holder_fun = void (*)(void*, void*);
 
 		struct buffer_t
 		{
-			free_buffer_fun free_fun;
-			void* userdata;
+			buffer_t() {}
+#if TORRENT_CPP98_DEQUE
+			buffer_t(buffer_t&& rhs) noexcept
+			{
+				destruct_holder = rhs.destruct_holder;
+				move_holder = rhs.move_holder;
+				buf = rhs.buf;
+				start = rhs.start;
+				size = rhs.size;
+				used_size = rhs.used_size;
+				move_holder(&holder, &rhs.holder);
+			}
+			buffer_t& operator=(buffer_t&& rhs) noexcept
+			{
+				destruct_holder(&holder);
+				destruct_holder = rhs.destruct_holder;
+				move_holder = rhs.move_holder;
+				buf = rhs.buf;
+				start = rhs.start;
+				size = rhs.size;
+				used_size = rhs.used_size;
+				move_holder(&holder, &rhs.holder);
+				return *this;
+			}
+			buffer_t(buffer_t const& rhs) noexcept
+				: buffer_t(std::move(const_cast<buffer_t&>(rhs))) {}
+			buffer_t& operator=(buffer_t const& rhs) noexcept
+			{ return this->operator=(std::move(const_cast<buffer_t&>(rhs))); }
+#else
+			buffer_t(buffer_t&&) = delete;
+			buffer_t& operator=(buffer_t&&) = delete;
+			buffer_t(buffer_t const&) = delete;
+			buffer_t& operator=(buffer_t const&) = delete;
+#endif
+
+			destruct_holder_fun destruct_holder;
+#if TORRENT_CPP98_DEQUE
+			move_construct_holder_fun move_holder;
+#endif
+			std::aligned_storage<32>::type holder;
 			// TODO: 2 the pointers here should probably be const, since
 			// they're not supposed to be mutated once inserted into the send
 			// buffer
@@ -73,9 +121,10 @@ namespace libtorrent
 			char* start; // the first byte to send/receive in the buffer
 			int size; // the total size of the buffer
 			int used_size; // this is the number of bytes to send/receive
-			aux::block_cache_reference ref;
 		};
 
+	public:
+
 		bool empty() const { return m_bytes == 0; }
 		int size() const { return m_bytes; }
 		int capacity() const { return m_capacity; }
@@ -83,13 +132,25 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		void pop_front(int bytes_to_pop);
 
 		//TODO: 3 use span<> instead of (buffer,s)
-		void append_buffer(char* buffer, int s, int used_size
-			, free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-			, aux::block_cache_reference ref = aux::block_cache_reference());
+		template <typename Holder>
+		void append_buffer(Holder buffer, int s, int used_size)
+		{
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(s >= used_size);
+			m_vec.emplace_back();
+			buffer_t& b = m_vec.back();
+			init_buffer_entry<Holder>(b, buffer, s, used_size);
+		}
 
-		void prepend_buffer(char* buffer, int s, int used_size
-			, free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-			, aux::block_cache_reference ref = aux::block_cache_reference());
+		template <typename Holder>
+		void prepend_buffer(Holder buffer, int s, int used_size)
+		{
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(s >= used_size);
+			m_vec.emplace_front();
+			buffer_t& b = m_vec.front();
+			init_buffer_entry<Holder>(b, buffer, s, used_size);
+		}
 
 		// returns the number of bytes available at the
 		// end of the last chained buffer.
@@ -97,7 +158,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 		// tries to copy the given buffer to the end of the
 		// last chained buffer. If there's not enough room
-		// it returns false
+		// it returns nullptr
 		char* append(char const* buf, int s);
 
 		// tries to allocate memory from the end
@@ -114,6 +175,41 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		~chained_buffer();
 
 	private:
+
+		template <typename Holder>
+		void init_buffer_entry(buffer_t& b, Holder& buffer, int s, int used_size)
+		{
+			static_assert(sizeof(Holder) <= sizeof(b.holder), "buffer holder too large");
+
+			b.buf = buffer.get();
+			b.size = s;
+			b.start = buffer.get();
+			b.used_size = used_size;
+
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+// this appears to be a false positive msvc warning
+#pragma warning(push, 1)
+#pragma warning(disable : 4100)
+#endif
+			b.destruct_holder = [](void* holder)
+			{ reinterpret_cast<Holder*>(holder)->~Holder(); };
+
+#if TORRENT_CPP98_DEQUE
+			b.move_holder = [](void* dst, void* src)
+			{ new (dst) Holder(std::move(*reinterpret_cast<Holder*>(src))); };
+#endif
+
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+#pragma warning(pop)
+#endif
+
+			new (&b.holder) Holder(std::move(buffer));
+
+			m_bytes += used_size;
+			m_capacity += s;
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(m_bytes <= m_capacity);
+		}
+
 		template <typename Buffer>
 		void build_vec(int bytes, std::vector<Buffer>& vec);
 
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/disk_interface.hpp b/include/libtorrent/disk_interface.hpp
index 725e1ed2b..1aebecf99 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/disk_interface.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/disk_interface.hpp
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 #include <memory>
 
 #include "libtorrent/units.hpp"
+#include "libtorrent/disk_buffer_holder.hpp"
 #include "libtorrent/aux_/vector.hpp"
+#include "libtorrent/export.hpp"
 
 namespace libtorrent
 {
@@ -51,6 +53,9 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	struct cache_status;
 	struct disk_buffer_holder;
 	struct counters;
+	struct settings_pack;
+	struct storage_params;
+	class file_storage;
 
 	enum class status_t : std::uint8_t
 	{
@@ -76,8 +81,8 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		};
 
 		virtual void async_read(storage_interface* storage, peer_request const& r
-			, std::function<void(aux::block_cache_reference ref, char* block
-				, int flags, storage_error const& se)> handler, void* requester, std::uint8_t flags = 0) = 0;
+			, std::function<void(disk_buffer_holder block, int flags, storage_error const& se)> handler
+			, void* requester, std::uint8_t flags = 0) = 0;
 		virtual bool async_write(storage_interface* storage, peer_request const& r
 			, char const* buf, std::shared_ptr<disk_observer> o
 			, std::function<void(storage_error const&)> handler
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/disk_io_job.hpp b/include/libtorrent/disk_io_job.hpp
index cf01132b9..127d5ec27 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/disk_io_job.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/disk_io_job.hpp
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	struct cached_piece_entry;
 	class torrent_info;
 	struct add_torrent_params;
+	struct buffer_allocator_interface;
 
 	// disk_io_jobs are allocated in a pool allocator in disk_io_thread
 	// they are always allocated from the network thread, posted
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		disk_io_job(disk_io_job const&) = delete;
 		disk_io_job& operator=(disk_io_job const&) = delete;
 
-		void call_callback();
+		void call_callback(buffer_allocator_interface&);
 
 		enum action_t : std::uint8_t
 		{
@@ -146,8 +147,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 		// this is called when operation completes
 
-		using read_handler = std::function<void(aux::block_cache_reference ref
-			, char* block, int flags, storage_error const& se)>;
+		using read_handler = std::function<void(disk_buffer_holder block, int flags, storage_error const& se)>;
 		using write_handler = std::function<void(storage_error const&)>;
 		using hash_handler = std::function<void(piece_index_t, sha1_hash const&, storage_error const&)>;
 		using move_handler = std::function<void(status_t, std::string const&, storage_error const&)>;
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/disk_io_thread.hpp b/include/libtorrent/disk_io_thread.hpp
index 640505002..b8828603a 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/disk_io_thread.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/disk_io_thread.hpp
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		void abort(bool wait);
 
 		void async_read(storage_interface* storage, peer_request const& r
-			, std::function<void(aux::block_cache_reference ref, char* block
+			, std::function<void(disk_buffer_holder block
 				, int flags, storage_error const& se)> handler, void* requester, std::uint8_t flags = 0) override;
 		bool async_write(storage_interface* storage, peer_request const& r
 			, char const* buf, std::shared_ptr<disk_observer> o
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/peer_connection.hpp b/include/libtorrent/peer_connection.hpp
index 28be78ae4..159000f1e 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/peer_connection.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/peer_connection.hpp
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		aux::session_interface* ses;
 		aux::session_settings const* sett;
 		counters* stats_counters;
-		buffer_allocator_interface* allocator;
 		disk_interface* disk_thread;
 		io_service* ios;
 		std::weak_ptr<torrent> tor;
@@ -147,7 +146,13 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	};
 
 	// internal
-	inline void nop(char*, void*, aux::block_cache_reference) {}
+	struct nop
+	{
+		explicit nop(char* b) : m_buf(b) {}
+		char* get() const { return m_buf; }
+	private:
+		char* m_buf;
+	};
 
 	struct TORRENT_EXTRA_EXPORT peer_connection_hot_members
 	{
@@ -626,15 +631,12 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		void send_buffer(char const* begin, int size, int flags = 0);
 		void setup_send();
 
-		void append_send_buffer(char* buffer, int size
-			, chained_buffer::free_buffer_fun destructor = &nop
-			, void* userdata = nullptr, aux::block_cache_reference ref
-			= aux::block_cache_reference());
-
-		virtual void append_const_send_buffer(char const* buffer, int size
-			, chained_buffer::free_buffer_fun destructor = &nop
-			, void* userdata = nullptr, aux::block_cache_reference ref
-			= aux::block_cache_reference());
+		template <typename Holder>
+		void append_send_buffer(Holder buffer, int size)
+		{
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+			m_send_buffer.append_buffer(std::move(buffer), size, size);
+		}
 
 		int outstanding_bytes() const { return m_outstanding_bytes; }
 
@@ -758,9 +760,8 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 		void do_update_interest();
 		void fill_send_buffer();
-		void on_disk_read_complete(aux::block_cache_reference ref
-			, char* disk_block, int flags, storage_error const& error, peer_request r
-			, time_point issue_time);
+		void on_disk_read_complete(disk_buffer_holder disk_block, int flags
+			, storage_error const& error, peer_request r, time_point issue_time);
 		void on_disk_write_complete(storage_error const& error
 			, peer_request r, std::shared_ptr<torrent> t);
 		void on_seed_mode_hashed(piece_index_t piece
@@ -832,10 +833,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		// the disk thread to use to issue disk jobs to
 		disk_interface& m_disk_thread;
 
-	public:
-		buffer_allocator_interface& m_allocator;
-	private:
-
 		// io service
 		io_service& m_ios;
 
diff --git a/include/libtorrent/torrent.hpp b/include/libtorrent/torrent.hpp
index 9b0e91262..bb6ea12c7 100644
--- a/include/libtorrent/torrent.hpp
+++ b/include/libtorrent/torrent.hpp
@@ -392,8 +392,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 			error_code error;
 		};
 		void read_piece(piece_index_t piece);
-		void on_disk_read_complete(aux::block_cache_reference ref
-			, char* block, int flags, storage_error const& se
+		void on_disk_read_complete(disk_buffer_holder block, int flags, storage_error const& se
 			, peer_request r, std::shared_ptr<read_piece_struct> rp);
 
 		storage_mode_t storage_mode() const;
diff --git a/src/bt_peer_connection.cpp b/src/bt_peer_connection.cpp
index 6e03a7275..65b151c36 100644
--- a/src/bt_peer_connection.cpp
+++ b/src/bt_peer_connection.cpp
@@ -733,38 +733,8 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		m_rc4->decrypt(buf);
 	}
 
-	namespace {
-		void regular_c_free(char* buf, void* /* userdata */
-			, aux::block_cache_reference /* ref */)
-		{
-			std::free(buf);
-		}
-	}
-
 #endif // #if !defined(TORRENT_DISABLE_ENCRYPTION) && !defined(TORRENT_DISABLE_EXTENSIONS)
 
-	void bt_peer_connection::append_const_send_buffer(char const* buffer, int size
-		, chained_buffer::free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
-	{
-#if !defined(TORRENT_DISABLE_ENCRYPTION) && !defined(TORRENT_DISABLE_EXTENSIONS)
-		if (!m_enc_handler.is_send_plaintext())
-		{
-			// if we're encrypting this buffer, we need to make a copy
-			// since we'll mutate it
-			char* buf = static_cast<char*>(std::malloc(size));
-			std::memcpy(buf, buffer, size);
-			append_send_buffer(buf, size, &regular_c_free, nullptr);
-			destructor(const_cast<char*>(buffer), userdata, ref);
-		}
-		else
-#endif
-		{
-			peer_connection::append_const_send_buffer(buffer, size, destructor
-				, userdata, ref);
-		}
-	}
-
 	void bt_peer_connection::write_handshake()
 	{
 		INVARIANT_CHECK;
@@ -2433,24 +2403,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 #endif
 	}
 
-	namespace {
-
-	void buffer_reclaim_block(char* /* buffer */, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
-	{
-		buffer_allocator_interface* buf = static_cast<buffer_allocator_interface*>(userdata);
-		buf->reclaim_blocks(ref);
-	}
-
-	void buffer_free_disk_buf(char* buffer, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference /* ref */)
-	{
-		buffer_allocator_interface* buf = static_cast<buffer_allocator_interface*>(userdata);
-		buf->free_disk_buffer(buffer);
-	}
-
-	} // anonymous namespace
-
 	void bt_peer_connection::write_piece(peer_request const& r, disk_buffer_holder buffer)
 	{
 		INVARIANT_CHECK;
@@ -2513,15 +2465,12 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 		if (buffer.ref().storage == nullptr)
 		{
-			append_send_buffer(buffer.get(), r.length
-				, &buffer_free_disk_buf, &m_allocator);
+			append_send_buffer(std::move(buffer), r.length);
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			append_const_send_buffer(buffer.get(), r.length
-				, &buffer_reclaim_block, &m_allocator, buffer.ref());
+			append_const_send_buffer(std::move(buffer), r.length);
 		}
-		buffer.release();
 
 		m_payloads.push_back(range(send_buffer_size() - r.length, r.length));
 		setup_send();
diff --git a/src/chained_buffer.cpp b/src/chained_buffer.cpp
index b71f1997f..b71eca020 100644
--- a/src/chained_buffer.cpp
+++ b/src/chained_buffer.cpp
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	void chained_buffer::pop_front(int bytes_to_pop)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(bytes_to_pop <= m_bytes);
 		while (bytes_to_pop > 0 && !m_vec.empty())
 		{
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 				break;
 			}
 
-			b.free_fun(b.buf, b.userdata, b.ref);
+			b.destruct_holder(static_cast<void*>(&b.holder));
 			m_bytes -= b.used_size;
 			m_capacity -= b.size;
 			bytes_to_pop -= b.used_size;
@@ -66,54 +67,16 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		}
 	}
 
-	void chained_buffer::append_buffer(char* buffer, int s, int used_size
-		, free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
-	{
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(s >= used_size);
-		buffer_t b;
-		b.buf = buffer;
-		b.size = s;
-		b.start = buffer;
-		b.used_size = used_size;
-		b.free_fun = destructor;
-		b.userdata = userdata;
-		b.ref = ref;
-		m_vec.push_back(b);
-
-		m_bytes += used_size;
-		m_capacity += s;
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(m_bytes <= m_capacity);
-	}
-
-	void chained_buffer::prepend_buffer(char* buffer, int s, int used_size
-		, free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
-	{
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(s >= used_size);
-		buffer_t b;
-		b.buf = buffer;
-		b.size = s;
-		b.start = buffer;
-		b.used_size = used_size;
-		b.free_fun = destructor;
-		b.userdata = userdata;
-		b.ref = ref;
-		m_vec.push_front(b);
-
-		m_bytes += used_size;
-		m_capacity += s;
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(m_bytes <= m_capacity);
-	}
-
 	// returns the number of bytes available at the
 	// end of the last chained buffer.
 	int chained_buffer::space_in_last_buffer()
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
 		if (m_vec.empty()) return 0;
 		buffer_t& b = m_vec.back();
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(b.start != nullptr);
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(b.buf != nullptr);
 		return b.size - b.used_size - int(b.start - b.buf);
 	}
 
@@ -123,7 +86,8 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	char* chained_buffer::append(char const* buf, int s)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
-		char* insert = allocate_appendix(s);
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
+		char* const insert = allocate_appendix(s);
 		if (insert == nullptr) return nullptr;
 		std::memcpy(insert, buf, s);
 		return insert;
@@ -135,9 +99,12 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	char* chained_buffer::allocate_appendix(int s)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
 		if (m_vec.empty()) return nullptr;
 		buffer_t& b = m_vec.back();
-		char* insert = b.start + b.used_size;
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(b.start != nullptr);
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(b.buf != nullptr);
+		char* const insert = b.start + b.used_size;
 		if (insert + s > b.buf + b.size) return nullptr;
 		b.used_size += s;
 		m_bytes += s;
@@ -148,6 +115,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	std::vector<boost::asio::const_buffer> const& chained_buffer::build_iovec(int to_send)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
 		m_tmp_vec.clear();
 		build_vec(to_send, m_tmp_vec);
 		return m_tmp_vec;
@@ -155,15 +123,18 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 	void chained_buffer::build_mutable_iovec(int bytes, std::vector<span<char>> &vec)
 	{
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
 		build_vec(bytes, vec);
 	}
 
 	template <typename Buffer>
-	void chained_buffer::build_vec(int bytes, std::vector<Buffer> &vec)
+	void chained_buffer::build_vec(int bytes, std::vector<Buffer>& vec)
 	{
-		for (std::deque<buffer_t>::iterator i = m_vec.begin()
-			, end(m_vec.end()); bytes > 0 && i != end; ++i)
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
+		for (auto i = m_vec.begin(), end(m_vec.end()); bytes > 0 && i != end; ++i)
 		{
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(i->start != nullptr);
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(i->buf != nullptr);
 			if (i->used_size > bytes)
 			{
 				TORRENT_ASSERT(bytes > 0);
@@ -178,11 +149,9 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 	void chained_buffer::clear()
 	{
-		for (std::deque<buffer_t>::iterator i = m_vec.begin()
-			, end(m_vec.end()); i != end; ++i)
-		{
-			i->free_fun(i->buf, i->userdata, i->ref);
-		}
+		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
+		for (auto& b : m_vec)
+			b.destruct_holder(static_cast<void*>(&b.holder));
 		m_bytes = 0;
 		m_capacity = 0;
 		m_vec.clear();
@@ -190,14 +159,14 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 	chained_buffer::~chained_buffer()
 	{
-#if TORRENT_USE_ASSERTS
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(!m_destructed);
-		m_destructed = true;
-#endif
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(m_bytes >= 0);
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(m_capacity >= 0);
 		clear();
+#if TORRENT_USE_ASSERTS
+		m_destructed = true;
+#endif
 	}
 
 }
diff --git a/src/disk_io_job.cpp b/src/disk_io_job.cpp
index 61fd52cad..4c8e4132d 100644
--- a/src/disk_io_job.cpp
+++ b/src/disk_io_job.cpp
@@ -35,15 +35,19 @@ POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
 namespace libtorrent
 {
+	struct buffer_allocator_interface;
+
 	namespace {
 		struct caller_visitor : boost::static_visitor<>
 		{
-			explicit caller_visitor(disk_io_job& j) : m_job(j) {}
+			explicit caller_visitor(buffer_allocator_interface& alloc, disk_io_job& j)
+				: m_job(j), m_alloc(alloc) {}
 
 			void operator()(disk_io_job::read_handler& h) const
 			{
 				if (!h) return;
-				h(m_job.d.io.ref, m_job.buffer.disk_block, m_job.flags, m_job.error);
+				disk_buffer_holder block(m_alloc, m_job.d.io.ref, m_job.buffer.disk_block);
+				h(std::move(block), m_job.flags, m_job.error);
 			}
 
 			void operator()(disk_io_job::write_handler& h) const
@@ -90,6 +94,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 		private:
 			disk_io_job& m_job;
+			buffer_allocator_interface& m_alloc;
 		};
 	}
 
@@ -111,9 +116,9 @@ namespace libtorrent
 			free(buffer.string);
 	}
 
-	void disk_io_job::call_callback()
+	void disk_io_job::call_callback(buffer_allocator_interface& alloc)
 	{
-		boost::apply_visitor(caller_visitor(*this), callback);
+		boost::apply_visitor(caller_visitor(alloc, *this), callback);
 	}
 
 	bool disk_io_job::completed(cached_piece_entry const* pe, int block_size)
diff --git a/src/disk_io_thread.cpp b/src/disk_io_thread.cpp
index d8e77330a..37a19a4d0 100644
--- a/src/disk_io_thread.cpp
+++ b/src/disk_io_thread.cpp
@@ -1515,8 +1515,8 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	}
 
 	void disk_io_thread::async_read(storage_interface* storage, peer_request const& r
-		, std::function<void(aux::block_cache_reference ref, char* block
-		, int flags, storage_error const& se)> handler, void* requester, std::uint8_t const flags)
+		, std::function<void(disk_buffer_holder block, int flags, storage_error const& se)> handler
+		, void* requester, std::uint8_t const flags)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(r.length <= m_disk_cache.block_size());
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(r.length <= 16 * 1024);
@@ -1541,7 +1541,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		switch (ret)
 		{
 			case 0:
-				j->call_callback();
+				j->call_callback(*this);
 				free_job(j);
 				break;
 			case 1:
@@ -1766,7 +1766,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 #endif
 
 			l.unlock();
-			j->call_callback();
+			j->call_callback(*this);
 			free_job(j);
 			return;
 		}
@@ -1920,7 +1920,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		if (m_abort)
 		{
 			j->error.ec = boost::asio::error::operation_aborted;
-			j->call_callback();
+			j->call_callback(*this);
 			free_job(j);
 			return;
 		}
@@ -3385,7 +3385,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 #if TORRENT_USE_ASSERTS
 			j->callback_called = true;
 #endif
-			j->call_callback();
+			j->call_callback(*this);
 			to_delete[cnt++] = j;
 			j = next;
 			if (cnt == int(to_delete.size()))
diff --git a/src/peer_connection.cpp b/src/peer_connection.cpp
index b4a19c3cf..3aa3cdf18 100644
--- a/src/peer_connection.cpp
+++ b/src/peer_connection.cpp
@@ -119,7 +119,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		, m_max_out_request_queue(m_settings.get_int(settings_pack::max_out_request_queue))
 		, m_remote(pack.endp)
 		, m_disk_thread(*pack.disk_thread)
-		, m_allocator(*pack.allocator)
 		, m_ios(*pack.ios)
 		, m_work(m_ios)
 		, m_outstanding_piece_verification(0)
@@ -5127,7 +5126,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 
 				m_disk_thread.async_read(&t->storage(), r
 					, std::bind(&peer_connection::on_disk_read_complete
-					, self(), _1, _2, _3, _4, r, clock_type::now()), this);
+					, self(), _1, _2, _3, r, clock_type::now()), this);
 			}
 			m_last_sent_payload = clock_type::now();
 			m_requests.erase(m_requests.begin() + i);
@@ -5196,8 +5195,8 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		fill_send_buffer();
 	}
 
-	void peer_connection::on_disk_read_complete(aux::block_cache_reference ref
-		, char* disk_block, int const flags, storage_error const& error
+	void peer_connection::on_disk_read_complete(disk_buffer_holder buffer
+		, int const flags, storage_error const& error
 		, peer_request r, time_point issue_time)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
@@ -5213,7 +5212,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 			peer_log(peer_log_alert::info, "FILE_ASYNC_READ_COMPLETE"
 				, "piece: %d s: %x l: %x b: %p c: %s e: %s rtt: %d us"
 				, static_cast<int>(r.piece), r.start, r.length
-				, static_cast<void*>(disk_block)
+				, static_cast<void*>(buffer.get())
 				, (flags & disk_interface::cache_hit ? "cache hit" : "cache miss")
 				, error.ec.message().c_str(), disk_rtt);
 		}
@@ -5230,7 +5229,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 				return;
 			}
 
-			TORRENT_ASSERT(disk_block == nullptr);
+			TORRENT_ASSERT(buffer.get() == nullptr);
 			write_dont_have(r.piece);
 			write_reject_request(r);
 			if (t->alerts().should_post<file_error_alert>())
@@ -5248,11 +5247,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		// block, the peer is still useful
 		m_disk_read_failures = 0;
 
-		// even if we're disconnecting, we need to free this block
-		// otherwise the disk thread will hang, waiting for the network
-		// thread to be done with it
-		disk_buffer_holder buffer(m_allocator, ref, disk_block);
-
 		if (t && m_settings.get_int(settings_pack::suggest_mode)
 			== settings_pack::suggest_read_cache)
 		{
@@ -5453,8 +5447,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 				// this const_cast is a here because chained_buffer need to be
 				// fixed.
 				char* ptr = const_cast<char*>(i->data());
-				m_send_buffer.prepend_buffer(ptr
-					, size, size, &nop, nullptr);
+				m_send_buffer.prepend_buffer(nop(ptr), size, size);
 			}
 			set_send_barrier(next_barrier);
 		}
@@ -5646,24 +5639,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 				std::bind(&peer_connection::on_receive_data, self(), _1, _2)));
 	}
 
-	void peer_connection::append_send_buffer(char* buffer, int size
-		, chained_buffer::free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
-	{
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
-		m_send_buffer.append_buffer(buffer, size, size, destructor
-			, userdata, ref);
-	}
-
-	void peer_connection::append_const_send_buffer(char const* buffer, int size
-		, chained_buffer::free_buffer_fun destructor, void* userdata
-		, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
-	{
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
-		m_send_buffer.append_buffer(const_cast<char*>(buffer), size, size, destructor
-			, userdata, ref);
-	}
-
 	piece_block_progress peer_connection::downloading_piece_progress() const
 	{
 #ifndef TORRENT_DISABLE_LOGGING
@@ -5673,14 +5648,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		return piece_block_progress();
 	}
 
-	namespace {
-		void session_free_buffer(char* buffer, void* userdata, aux::block_cache_reference)
-		{
-			aux::session_interface* ses = static_cast<aux::session_interface*>(userdata);
-			ses->free_buffer(buffer);
-		}
-	}
-
 	void peer_connection::send_buffer(char const* buf, int size, int flags)
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
@@ -5704,20 +5671,14 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		int i = 0;
 		while (size > 0)
 		{
-			char* chain_buf = m_ses.allocate_buffer();
-			if (chain_buf == nullptr)
-			{
-				disconnect(errors::no_memory, op_alloc_sndbuf);
-				return;
-			}
+			aux::ses_buffer_holder session_buf = m_ses.allocate_buffer();
 
-			const int alloc_buf_size = m_ses.send_buffer_size();
-			int buf_size = (std::min)(alloc_buf_size, size);
-			std::memcpy(chain_buf, buf, buf_size);
+			int const alloc_buf_size = m_ses.send_buffer_size();
+			int const buf_size = std::min(alloc_buf_size, size);
+			std::memcpy(session_buf.get(), buf, buf_size);
 			buf += buf_size;
 			size -= buf_size;
-			m_send_buffer.append_buffer(chain_buf, alloc_buf_size, buf_size
-				, &session_free_buffer, &m_ses);
+			m_send_buffer.append_buffer(std::move(session_buf), alloc_buf_size, buf_size);
 			++i;
 		}
 		setup_send();
diff --git a/src/session_impl.cpp b/src/session_impl.cpp
index 310c0a9cc..0a30d20be 100644
--- a/src/session_impl.cpp
+++ b/src/session_impl.cpp
@@ -2825,7 +2825,6 @@ namespace aux {
 		pack.ses = this;
 		pack.sett = &m_settings;
 		pack.stats_counters = &m_stats_counters;
-		pack.allocator = this;
 		pack.disk_thread = &m_disk_thread;
 		pack.ios = &m_io_service;
 		pack.tor = std::weak_ptr<torrent>();
@@ -6664,39 +6663,15 @@ namespace aux {
 #endif
 	}
 
-	// decrement the refcount of the block in the disk cache
-	// since the network thread doesn't need it anymore
-	void session_impl::reclaim_blocks(span<block_cache_reference> refs)
-	{
-		m_blocks_to_reclaim.insert(m_blocks_to_reclaim.end(), refs.begin(), refs.end());
-		if (m_pending_block_reclaim) return;
-
-		m_io_service.post(std::bind(&session_impl::do_reclaim_blocks, this));
-		m_pending_block_reclaim = true;
-	}
-
-	void session_impl::do_reclaim_blocks()
-	{
-		TORRENT_ASSERT(m_pending_block_reclaim);
-		m_pending_block_reclaim = false;
-		m_disk_thread.reclaim_blocks(m_blocks_to_reclaim);
-		m_blocks_to_reclaim.clear();
-	}
-
-	void session_impl::free_disk_buffer(char* buf)
-	{
-		m_disk_thread.free_disk_buffer(buf);
-	}
-
-	char* session_impl::allocate_buffer()
+	ses_buffer_holder session_impl::allocate_buffer()
 	{
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
 
 #ifdef TORRENT_DISABLE_POOL_ALLOCATOR
 		int num_bytes = send_buffer_size();
-		return static_cast<char*>(malloc(num_bytes));
+		return ses_buffer_holder(*this, static_cast<char*>(malloc(num_bytes)));
 #else
-		return static_cast<char*>(m_send_buffers.malloc());
+		return ses_buffer_holder(*this, static_cast<char*>(m_send_buffers.malloc()));
 #endif
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/smart_ban.cpp b/src/smart_ban.cpp
index 926980fb8..f5a2b8807 100644
--- a/src/smart_ban.cpp
+++ b/src/smart_ban.cpp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ namespace
 				{
 					m_torrent.session().disk_thread().async_read(&m_torrent.storage()
 						, r, std::bind(&smart_ban_plugin::on_read_ok_block
-						, shared_from_this(), *i, i->second.peer->address(), _1, _2, r.length, _3, _4)
+						, shared_from_this(), *i, i->second.peer->address(), _1, r.length, _2, _3)
 						, reinterpret_cast<void*>(1));
 					m_block_hashes.erase(i++);
 				}
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ namespace
 					// block read will have been deleted by the time it gets back to the network thread
 					m_torrent.session().disk_thread().async_read(&m_torrent.storage(), r
 						, std::bind(&smart_ban_plugin::on_read_failed_block
-						, shared_from_this(), pb, (*i)->address(), _1, _2, r.length, _3, _4)
+						, shared_from_this(), pb, (*i)->address(), _1, r.length, _2, _3)
 						, reinterpret_cast<torrent_peer*>(1)
 						, disk_io_job::force_copy);
 				}
@@ -176,18 +176,16 @@ namespace
 		};
 
 		void on_read_failed_block(piece_block b, address a
-			, aux::block_cache_reference ref, char* disk_block, int const block_size, int
+			, disk_buffer_holder buffer, int const block_size, int
 			, storage_error const& error)
 		{
 			TORRENT_ASSERT(m_torrent.session().is_single_thread());
 
-			disk_buffer_holder buffer(m_torrent.session(), ref, disk_block);
-
 			// ignore read errors
 			if (error) return;
 
 			hasher h;
-			h.update({disk_block, std::size_t(block_size)});
+			h.update({buffer.get(), std::size_t(block_size)});
 			h.update(reinterpret_cast<char const*>(&m_salt), sizeof(m_salt));
 
 			std::pair<peer_list::iterator, peer_list::iterator> const range
@@ -260,18 +258,16 @@ namespace
 		}
 
 		void on_read_ok_block(std::pair<piece_block, block_entry> b, address a
-			, aux::block_cache_reference ref, char* disk_block, int const block_size, int
+			, disk_buffer_holder buffer, int const block_size, int
 			, storage_error const& error)
 		{
 			TORRENT_ASSERT(m_torrent.session().is_single_thread());
 
-			disk_buffer_holder buffer(m_torrent.session(), ref, disk_block);
-
 			// ignore read errors
 			if (error) return;
 
 			hasher h;
-			h.update({disk_block, std::size_t(block_size)});
+			h.update({buffer.get(), std::size_t(block_size)});
 			h.update(reinterpret_cast<char const*>(&m_salt), sizeof(m_salt));
 			sha1_hash const ok_digest = h.final();
 
diff --git a/src/torrent.cpp b/src/torrent.cpp
index ae4c8f278..041762438 100644
--- a/src/torrent.cpp
+++ b/src/torrent.cpp
@@ -859,7 +859,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 			r.length = (std::min)(piece_size - r.start, block_size());
 			m_ses.disk_thread().async_read(&storage(), r
 				, std::bind(&torrent::on_disk_read_complete
-				, shared_from_this(), _1, _2, _3, _4, r, rp), reinterpret_cast<void*>(1));
+				, shared_from_this(), _1, _2, _3, r, rp), reinterpret_cast<void*>(1));
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -1124,15 +1124,13 @@ namespace libtorrent
 	}
 	catch (...) { handle_exception(); }
 
-	void torrent::on_disk_read_complete(aux::block_cache_reference ref
-		, char* block, int, storage_error const& se
+	void torrent::on_disk_read_complete(disk_buffer_holder buffer
+		, int, storage_error const& se
 		, peer_request r, std::shared_ptr<read_piece_struct> rp) try
 	{
 		// hold a reference until this function returns
 		TORRENT_ASSERT(is_single_thread());
 
-		disk_buffer_holder buffer(m_ses, ref, block);
-
 		--rp->blocks_left;
 		if (se)
 		{
@@ -1142,7 +1140,7 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			std::memcpy(rp->piece_data.get() + r.start, block, r.length);
+			std::memcpy(rp->piece_data.get() + r.start, buffer.get(), r.length);
 		}
 
 		if (rp->blocks_left == 0)
@@ -5853,7 +5851,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		pack.ses = &m_ses;
 		pack.sett = &settings();
 		pack.stats_counters = &m_ses.stats_counters();
-		pack.allocator = &m_ses;
 		pack.disk_thread = &m_ses.disk_thread();
 		pack.ios = &m_ses.get_io_service();
 		pack.tor = shared_from_this();
@@ -6536,7 +6533,6 @@ namespace libtorrent
 		pack.ses = &m_ses;
 		pack.sett = &settings();
 		pack.stats_counters = &m_ses.stats_counters();
-		pack.allocator = &m_ses;
 		pack.disk_thread = &m_ses.disk_thread();
 		pack.ios = &m_ses.get_io_service();
 		pack.tor = shared_from_this();
diff --git a/src/ut_metadata.cpp b/src/ut_metadata.cpp
index 3d29907ad..d43c5b330 100644
--- a/src/ut_metadata.cpp
+++ b/src/ut_metadata.cpp
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ namespace libtorrent { namespace
 			// TODO: we really need to increment the refcounter on the torrent
 			// while this buffer is still in the peer's send buffer
 			if (metadata_piece_size) m_pc.append_const_send_buffer(
-				metadata, metadata_piece_size);
+				nop(const_cast<char*>(metadata)), metadata_piece_size);
 
 			m_pc.stats_counters().inc_stats_counter(counters::num_outgoing_extended);
 			m_pc.stats_counters().inc_stats_counter(counters::num_outgoing_metadata);
diff --git a/test/test_buffer.cpp b/test/test_buffer.cpp
index fbc90bc4e..09b654541 100644
--- a/test/test_buffer.cpp
+++ b/test/test_buffer.cpp
@@ -140,9 +140,8 @@ TORRENT_TEST(buffer_move_assign)
 
 std::set<char*> buffer_list;
 
-void free_buffer(char* m, void* userdata, aux::block_cache_reference ref)
+void free_buffer(char* m)
 {
-	TEST_CHECK(userdata == (void*)0x1337);
 	std::set<char*>::iterator i = buffer_list.find(m);
 	TEST_CHECK(i != buffer_list.end());
 
@@ -181,6 +180,25 @@ bool compare_chained_buffer(chained_buffer& b, char const* mem, int size)
 	return std::memcmp(&flat[0], mem, size) == 0;
 }
 
+struct holder
+{
+	explicit holder(char* buf) : m_buf(buf) {}
+	~holder() { if (m_buf) free_buffer(m_buf); }
+	holder(holder const&) = delete;
+	holder& operator=(holder const&) = delete;
+	holder(holder&& rhs) : m_buf(rhs.m_buf) { rhs.m_buf = nullptr; }
+	holder& operator=(holder&& rhs)
+	{
+		if (m_buf) free_buffer(m_buf);
+		m_buf = rhs.m_buf;
+		rhs.m_buf = nullptr;
+		return *this;
+	}
+	char* get() const { return m_buf; }
+private:
+	char* m_buf;
+};
+
 TORRENT_TEST(chained_buffer)
 {
 	char data[] = "foobar";
@@ -199,7 +217,7 @@ TORRENT_TEST(chained_buffer)
 
 		char* b1 = allocate_buffer(512);
 		std::memcpy(b1, data, 6);
-		b.append_buffer(b1, 512, 6, &free_buffer, (void*)0x1337);
+		b.append_buffer(holder(b1), 512, 6);
 		TEST_EQUAL(buffer_list.size(), 1);
 
 		TEST_CHECK(b.capacity() == 512);
@@ -229,12 +247,12 @@ TORRENT_TEST(chained_buffer)
 
 		char* b2 = allocate_buffer(512);
 		std::memcpy(b2, data, 6);
-		b.append_buffer(b2, 512, 6, free_buffer, (void*)0x1337);
+		b.append_buffer(holder(b2), 512, 6);
 		TEST_CHECK(buffer_list.size() == 2);
 
 		char* b3 = allocate_buffer(512);
 		std::memcpy(b3, data, 6);
-		b.append_buffer(b3, 512, 6, &free_buffer, (void*)0x1337);
+		b.append_buffer(holder(b3), 512, 6);
 		TEST_CHECK(buffer_list.size() == 3);
 
 		TEST_CHECK(b.capacity() == 512 * 3);
@@ -269,7 +287,7 @@ TORRENT_TEST(chained_buffer)
 		char* b4 = allocate_buffer(20);
 		std::memcpy(b4, data, 6);
 		std::memcpy(b4 + 6, data, 6);
-		b.append_buffer(b4, 20, 12, &free_buffer, (void*)0x1337);
+		b.append_buffer(holder(b4), 20, 12);
 		TEST_CHECK(b.space_in_last_buffer() == 8);
 
 		ret = b.append(data, 6) != nullptr;
@@ -282,8 +300,8 @@ TORRENT_TEST(chained_buffer)
 		std::cout << b.space_in_last_buffer() << std::endl;
 
 		char* b5 = allocate_buffer(20);
-		std::memcpy(b4, data, 6);
-		b.append_buffer(b5, 20, 6, &free_buffer, (void*)0x1337);
+		std::memcpy(b5, data, 6);
+		b.append_buffer(holder(b5), 20, 6);
 
 		b.pop_front(22);
 		TEST_CHECK(b.size() == 5);