diff --git a/util.c b/util.c
index 3ea19ea4e..fe41033c2 100644
--- a/util.c
+++ b/util.c
@@ -616,6 +616,16 @@ void pq_destroy(  priority_queue_t *q )
 }
 
 
+array_list_t *al_new()
+{
+	array_list_t *res = malloc( sizeof( array_list_t ) );
+	if( !res )
+		die_mem();
+	al_init( res );
+	return res;
+}
+
+
 void al_init( array_list_t *l )
 {
 	memset( l, 0, sizeof( array_list_t ) );
diff --git a/util.h b/util.h
index ef14fb4f8..3efe47257 100644
--- a/util.h
+++ b/util.h
@@ -303,6 +303,11 @@ int pq_get_count( priority_queue_t *q );
 */
 void pq_destroy(  priority_queue_t *q );
 
+/**
+   Allocate heap memory for creating a new list and initialize it
+*/
+array_list_t *al_new()
+
 /** Initialize the list. */
 void al_init( array_list_t *l );
 /** Destroy the list and free memory used by it.*/