diff --git a/gas/expr.c b/gas/expr.c
index 6ad8bee2733..f4ea24717df 100644
--- a/gas/expr.c
+++ b/gas/expr.c
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ make_expr_symbol (expressionS *expressionP)
   if (expressionP->X_op == O_constant)
     resolve_symbol_value (symbolP);
 
-  n = XNEW (struct expr_symbol_line);
+  n = notes_alloc (sizeof (*n));
   n->sym = symbolP;
   n->file = as_where (&n->line);
   n->next = expr_symbol_lines;