diff --git a/common.h b/common.h
index 9c852f18f..268334002 100644
--- a/common.h
+++ b/common.h
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@
 #include <assert.h>
 #include "util.h"
 
+/**
+   Avoid writing the type name twice in a common "static_cast-initialization".
+   Caveat: This doesn't work with type names containing commas!
+*/
+#define CAST_INIT(type, dst, src) type dst = static_cast<type >(src)
+
 class completion_t;
 
 /* Common string type */