diff --git a/bin/xbps-bin/main.c b/bin/xbps-bin/main.c
index cd14e43fd16..7fe6cf0bce3 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-bin/main.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-bin/main.c
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	prop_array_t reqby, orphans;
 	prop_object_t obj;
 	prop_object_iterator_t iter;
-	const char *pkgname, *version, *sep;
+	const char *pkgname, *version, *sep, *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int c, flags = 0, rv = 0;
 	bool chkhash = false, forcerm = false, verbose = false;
@@ -169,7 +169,9 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 		if (argc != 1)
 			usage();
 
-		plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+		rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+		plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+		    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 		if (plist == NULL)
 			exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
 
diff --git a/bin/xbps-pkgdb/main.c b/bin/xbps-pkgdb/main.c
index 083425516df..1b3d4dcdfe6 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-pkgdb/main.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-pkgdb/main.c
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ main(int argc, char **argv)
 	if (argc < 1)
 		usage();
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", root, XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 	if (plist == NULL) {
 		printf("=> ERROR: couldn't find regpkdb file (%s)\n",
 		    strerror(errno));
diff --git a/bin/xbps-repo/index.c b/bin/xbps-repo/index.c
index 91966e3bbc4..02e00b88b0e 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-repo/index.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-repo/index.c
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ xbps_repo_genindex(const char *pkgdir)
 		    (strcmp(archdirs[i], "noarch")))
 			continue;
 
-		path = xbps_append_full_path(false, pkgdir, archdirs[i]);
+		path = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s", pkgdir, archdirs[i]);
 		if (path == NULL)
 			return errno;
 
@@ -282,8 +282,7 @@ xbps_repo_genindex(const char *pkgdir)
 				continue;
 
 			foundpkg = true;
-			binfile = xbps_append_full_path(false, path,
-			    dp->d_name);
+			binfile = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s", path, dp->d_name);
 			if (binfile == NULL) {
 				(void)closedir(dirp);
 				free(path);
diff --git a/bin/xbps-repo/util.c b/bin/xbps-repo/util.c
index cd9d7524cc3..530151564b7 100644
--- a/bin/xbps-repo/util.c
+++ b/bin/xbps-repo/util.c
@@ -181,24 +181,15 @@ int
 show_pkg_info_from_metadir(const char *pkgname)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t pkgd;
-	size_t len = 0;
-	char *plist, *path;
+	const char *rootdir;
+	char *plist;
 
-	/* XBPS_META_PATH/metadata/<pkgname> + NULL */
-	len = strlen(XBPS_META_PATH) + strlen(pkgname) + 12;
-	path = malloc(len);
-	if (path == NULL)
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/metadata/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname, XBPS_PKGPROPS);
+	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
-	(void)snprintf(path, len, "%s/metadata/%s", XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
-
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, path, XBPS_PKGPROPS);
-	if (plist == NULL) {
-		free(path);
-		return EINVAL;
-	}
-	free(path);
-
 	pkgd = prop_dictionary_internalize_from_file(plist);
 	if (pkgd == NULL) {
 		free(plist);
@@ -217,27 +208,15 @@ show_pkg_files_from_metadir(const char *pkgname, bool hash)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t pkgd;
 	struct show_files_cb sfc;
-	size_t len = 0;
 	const char *destdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
-	char *plist, *path;
+	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
-	/* XBPS_META_PATH/metadata/<pkgname>/XBPS_PKGFILES + NULL */
-	len = strlen(XBPS_META_PATH) + strlen(pkgname) +
-	    strlen(XBPS_PKGFILES) + 12;
-	path = malloc(len);
-	if (path == NULL)
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/metadata/%s/%s", destdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname, XBPS_PKGFILES);
+	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
-	(void)snprintf(path, len, "%s/metadata/%s", XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
-
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, path, XBPS_PKGFILES);
-	if (plist == NULL) {
-		free(path);
-		return EINVAL;
-	}
-	free(path);
-
 	pkgd = prop_dictionary_internalize_from_file(plist);
 	if (pkgd == NULL) {
 		free(plist);
@@ -277,7 +256,7 @@ show_pkg_files(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 	if (sfc->check_hash && file != NULL) {
 		printf("%s", file);
 		if (sfc->destdir) {
-			path = xbps_append_full_path(false, sfc->destdir, file);
+			path = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s", sfc->destdir, file);
 			if (path == NULL)
 				return EINVAL;
 		}
diff --git a/include/util.h b/include/util.h
index e932f062829..35e59333858 100644
--- a/include/util.h
+++ b/include/util.h
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #define _XBPS_UTIL_H_
 
 /* From lib/util.c */
-char *		xbps_append_full_path(bool, const char *, const char *);
+char *		xbps_xasprintf(const char *, ...);
 char *		xbps_get_file_hash(const char *);
 int		xbps_check_file_hash(const char *, const char *);
 int		xbps_check_pkg_file_hash(prop_dictionary_t, const char *);
diff --git a/lib/install.c b/lib/install.c
index 765968f0ba6..4db78470e1f 100644
--- a/lib/install.c
+++ b/lib/install.c
@@ -93,14 +93,18 @@ xbps_install_binary_pkg(const char *pkgname, bool update)
 	prop_array_t array;
 	prop_object_t obj;
 	prop_object_iterator_t repolist_iter;
-	size_t len = 0;
-	const char *repoloc, *instver;
+	const char *repoloc, *instver, *rootdir;
 	char *plist, *pkg;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(pkgname != NULL);
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REPOLIST);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	if (rootdir == NULL)
+		rootdir = "";
+
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REPOLIST);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
@@ -164,13 +168,11 @@ xbps_install_binary_pkg(const char *pkgname, bool update)
 	 * installed, and return immediately in that case.
 	 */
 	prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkgrd, "version", &instver);
-	len = strlen(pkgname) + strlen(instver) + 2;
-	pkg = malloc(len);
+	pkg = xbps_xasprintf("%s-%s", pkgname, instver);
 	if (pkg == NULL) {
 		rv = errno;
 		goto out;
 	}
-	(void)snprintf(pkg, len, "%s-%s", pkgname, instver);
 	if (xbps_check_is_installed_pkg(pkg) == 0) {
 		free(pkg);
 		rv = EEXIST;
@@ -243,11 +245,13 @@ xbps_register_pkg(prop_dictionary_t pkgrd, bool update, bool automatic)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t dict, pkgd, newpkgd;
 	prop_array_t array;
-	const char *pkgname, *version, *desc;
+	const char *pkgname, *version, *desc, *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
diff --git a/lib/orphans.c b/lib/orphans.c
index a95cc64cec8..609e0403f2d 100644
--- a/lib/orphans.c
+++ b/lib/orphans.c
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ find_indirect_orphan_pkg(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 {
 	struct orphan *orphan = arg;
 	prop_array_t reqby;
-	size_t len = 0;
 	char *pkg;
 	bool automatic = false;
 
@@ -82,13 +81,10 @@ find_indirect_orphan_pkg(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 	if (reqby == NULL || prop_array_count(reqby) != 1)
 		return 0;
 
-	len = strlen(orphan->pkgname) + strlen(orphan->version) + 2;
-	pkg = malloc(len);
+	pkg = xbps_xasprintf("%s-%s", orphan->pkgname, orphan->version);
 	if (pkg == NULL)
 		return ENOMEM;
 
-	(void)snprintf(pkg, len, "%s-%s", orphan->pkgname, orphan->version);
-
 	if (xbps_find_string_in_array(reqby, pkg)) {
 		if (!prop_array_add(orphan->array, obj)) {
 			free(pkg);
@@ -107,10 +103,13 @@ xbps_find_orphan_packages(void)
 	prop_object_t obj;
 	prop_object_iterator_t iter;
 	struct orphan orphan;
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return NULL;
 
diff --git a/lib/plist.c b/lib/plist.c
index 3f91b2305bf..461380809de 100644
--- a/lib/plist.c
+++ b/lib/plist.c
@@ -70,12 +70,15 @@ xbps_callback_array_iter_in_repolist(int (*fn)(prop_object_t, void *, bool *),
 				     void *arg)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t repolistd;
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(fn != NULL);
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REPOLIST);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REPOLIST);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
@@ -158,9 +161,12 @@ prop_dictionary_t
 xbps_find_pkg_installed_from_plist(const char *pkgname)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t pkgd;
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return NULL;
 
diff --git a/lib/remove.c b/lib/remove.c
index 1bf7a7b84b8..f971d1af45c 100644
--- a/lib/remove.c
+++ b/lib/remove.c
@@ -41,12 +41,15 @@ static int	remove_pkg_files(prop_object_t, void *, bool *);
 int
 xbps_unregister_pkg(const char *pkgname)
 {
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(pkgname != NULL);
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	     XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
@@ -63,18 +66,19 @@ xbps_remove_binary_pkg_meta(const char *pkgname)
 {
 	struct dirent *dp;
 	DIR *dirp;
-	const char *rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
-	char metadir[PATH_MAX - 1], path[PATH_MAX - 1];
+	const char *rootdir;
+	char *metadir, *path;
 	int flags = 0, rv = 0;
 
 	assert(pkgname != NULL);
+
 	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
-	if (rootdir == NULL)
-		rootdir = "";
 	flags = xbps_get_flags();
 
-	(void)snprintf(metadir, sizeof(metadir), "%s%s/metadata/%s",
-	    rootdir, XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
+	metadir = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/metadata/%s", rootdir,
+	     XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
+	if (metadir == NULL)
+		return errno;
 
 	dirp = opendir(metadir);
 	if (dirp == NULL)
@@ -85,9 +89,10 @@ xbps_remove_binary_pkg_meta(const char *pkgname)
 		    (strcmp(dp->d_name, "..") == 0))
 			continue;
 
-		if (snprintf(path, sizeof(path), "%s%s/metadata/%s/%s",
-		    rootdir, XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname, dp->d_name) < 0) {
+		path = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s", metadir, dp->d_name);
+		if (path == NULL) {
 			(void)closedir(dirp);
+			free(metadir);
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -96,10 +101,11 @@ xbps_remove_binary_pkg_meta(const char *pkgname)
 				printf("WARNING: can't remove %s (%s)\n",
 				    pkgname, strerror(errno));
 		}
-		(void)memset(&path, 0, sizeof(path));
+		free(path);
 	}
 	(void)closedir(dirp);
 	rv = rmdir(metadir);
+	free(metadir);
 
 	return rv;
 }
@@ -108,7 +114,7 @@ static int
 remove_pkg_files(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 {
 	prop_bool_t bobj;
-	const char *file = NULL, *rootdir, *sha256, *type;
+	const char *file, *rootdir, *sha256, *type;
 	char *path = NULL;
 	int flags = 0, rv = 0;
 
@@ -116,14 +122,12 @@ remove_pkg_files(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 	(void)loop_done;
 
 	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
-	if (rootdir == NULL)
-		rootdir = "";
 	flags = xbps_get_flags();
 
 	if (!prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(obj, "file", &file))
 		return EINVAL;
 
-	path = xbps_append_full_path(false, rootdir, file);
+	path = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s", rootdir, file);
 	if (path == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
@@ -209,9 +213,8 @@ xbps_remove_binary_pkg(const char *pkgname, bool update)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t dict;
 	const char *rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
-	char path[PATH_MAX - 1], *buf;
+	char *path, *buf;
 	int fd, rv = 0;
-	size_t len = 0;
 	bool prepostf = false;
 
 	assert(pkgname != NULL);
@@ -229,20 +232,11 @@ xbps_remove_binary_pkg(const char *pkgname, bool update)
 	if (xbps_check_is_installed_pkgname(pkgname) == false)
 		return ENOENT;
 
-	/*
-	 * This length is '%s%s/metadata/%s/REMOVE' + NULL.
-	 */
-	len = strlen(XBPS_META_PATH) + strlen(rootdir) + strlen(pkgname) + 19;
-	buf = malloc(len);
+	buf = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/metadata/%s/REMOVE", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
 	if (buf == NULL)
 		return errno;
 
-	if (snprintf(buf, len, "%s%s/metadata/%s/REMOVE",
-	    rootdir, XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname) < 0) {
-		free(buf);
-		return -1;
-	}
-
 	/*
 	 * Find out if the REMOVE file exists.
 	 */
@@ -272,14 +266,20 @@ xbps_remove_binary_pkg(const char *pkgname, bool update)
 	 * Iterate over the pkg file list dictionary and remove all
 	 * files/dirs associated.
 	 */
-	(void)snprintf(path, sizeof(path), "%s%s/metadata/%s/files.plist",
+	path = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/metadata/%s/files.plist",
 	    rootdir, XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
+	if (path == NULL) {
+		free(buf);
+		return errno;
+	}
 
 	dict = prop_dictionary_internalize_from_file(path);
 	if (dict == NULL) {
 		free(buf);
+		free(path);
 		return errno;
 	}
+	free(path);
 
 	rv = xbps_callback_array_iter_in_dict(dict, "filelist",
 	    remove_pkg_files, NULL);
diff --git a/lib/repository.c b/lib/repository.c
index 1c5efc11d39..5cf6d82ae25 100644
--- a/lib/repository.c
+++ b/lib/repository.c
@@ -39,12 +39,15 @@ xbps_register_repository(const char *uri)
 	prop_dictionary_t dict;
 	prop_array_t array;
 	prop_object_t obj = NULL;
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(uri != NULL);
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REPOLIST);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REPOLIST);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return errno;
 
@@ -112,12 +115,15 @@ xbps_unregister_repository(const char *uri)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t dict;
 	prop_array_t array;
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(uri != NULL);
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REPOLIST);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REPOLIST);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return errno;
 
diff --git a/lib/requiredby.c b/lib/requiredby.c
index 5f83300fa00..54189aab39e 100644
--- a/lib/requiredby.c
+++ b/lib/requiredby.c
@@ -161,10 +161,13 @@ int
 xbps_requiredby_pkg_remove(const char *pkgname)
 {
 	prop_dictionary_t dict;
+	const char *rootdir;
 	char *plist;
 	int rv = 0;
 
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(true, NULL, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
+	rootdir = xbps_get_rootdir();
+	plist = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", rootdir,
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, XBPS_REGPKGDB);
 	if (plist == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
@@ -193,20 +196,16 @@ xbps_requiredby_pkg_add(prop_array_t regar, prop_dictionary_t pkg, bool update)
 	prop_array_t rdeps;
 	prop_object_t obj, obj2;
 	prop_object_iterator_t iter, iter2;
-	size_t len = 0;
 	const char *reqname, *pkgname, *version;
 	char *rdepname, *fpkgn;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkg, "pkgname", &pkgname);
 	prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkg, "version", &version);
-	len = strlen(pkgname) + strlen(version) + 2;
-	fpkgn = malloc(len);
+	fpkgn = xbps_xasprintf("%s-%s", pkgname, version);
 	if (fpkgn == NULL)
 		return ENOMEM;
 
-	(void)snprintf(fpkgn, len, "%s-%s", pkgname, version);
-
 	rdeps = prop_dictionary_get(pkg, "run_depends");
 	if (rdeps == NULL || prop_array_count(rdeps) == 0) {
 		free(fpkgn);
diff --git a/lib/unpack.c b/lib/unpack.c
index bee41a25ac2..66e4f0f697b 100644
--- a/lib/unpack.c
+++ b/lib/unpack.c
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ int
 xbps_unpack_binary_pkg(prop_dictionary_t repo, prop_dictionary_t pkg)
 {
 	prop_string_t filename, repoloc, arch;
-	char *binfile, *path;
+	char *binfile;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(pkg != NULL);
@@ -55,19 +55,12 @@ xbps_unpack_binary_pkg(prop_dictionary_t repo, prop_dictionary_t pkg)
 	else
 		repoloc = prop_dictionary_get(pkg, "repository");
 
-	path = xbps_append_full_path(false,
+	binfile = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s",
 	    prop_string_cstring_nocopy(repoloc),
-	    prop_string_cstring_nocopy(arch));
-	if (path == NULL)
-		return EINVAL;
-
-	binfile = xbps_append_full_path(false, path,
+	    prop_string_cstring_nocopy(arch),
 	    prop_string_cstring_nocopy(filename));
-	if (binfile == NULL) {
-		free(path);
+	if (binfile == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
-	}
-	free(path);
 
 	rv = unpack_archive_init(pkg, binfile);
 	free(binfile);
@@ -136,7 +129,6 @@ static int
 unpack_archive_fini(struct archive *ar, prop_dictionary_t pkg)
 {
 	struct archive_entry *entry;
-	size_t len;
 	const char *prepost = "./INSTALL";
 	const char *pkgname, *version, *rootdir;
 	char *buf;
@@ -154,7 +146,6 @@ unpack_archive_fini(struct archive *ar, prop_dictionary_t pkg)
 	} else {
 		if (chdir("/") == -1)
 			return errno;
-		rootdir = "";
 	}
 
 	prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkg, "pkgname", &pkgname);
@@ -165,19 +156,11 @@ unpack_archive_fini(struct archive *ar, prop_dictionary_t pkg)
 	else
 		lflags = EXTRACT_FLAGS;
 
-	/*
-	 * This length is '.%s/metadata/%s/INSTALL' + NULL.
-	 */
-	len = strlen(XBPS_META_PATH) + strlen(pkgname) + 20;
-	buf = malloc(len);
+	buf = xbps_xasprintf(".%s/metadata/%s/INSTALL",
+	    XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname);
 	if (buf == NULL)
-		return ENOMEM;
+		return errno;
 
-	if (snprintf(buf, len, ".%s/metadata/%s/INSTALL",
-	    XBPS_META_PATH, pkgname) < 0) {
-		free(buf);
-		return -1;
-	}
 	while (archive_read_next_header(ar, &entry) == ARCHIVE_OK) {
 		/*
 		 * Run the pre installation action target if there's a script
diff --git a/lib/util.c b/lib/util.c
index 38737196678..d918b1cff81 100644
--- a/lib/util.c
+++ b/lib/util.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
+#include <stdarg.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <fcntl.h>
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ int
 xbps_check_pkg_file_hash(prop_dictionary_t pkgd, const char *repoloc)
 {
 	const char *sha256, *arch, *filename;
-	char *binfile, *path;
+	char *binfile;
 	int rv = 0;
 
 	assert(repoloc != NULL);
@@ -95,17 +96,10 @@ xbps_check_pkg_file_hash(prop_dictionary_t pkgd, const char *repoloc)
 	if (!prop_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkgd, "architecture", &arch))
 		return EINVAL;
 
-	path = xbps_append_full_path(false, repoloc, arch);
-	if (path == NULL)
+	binfile = xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", repoloc, arch, filename);
+	if (binfile == NULL)
 		return EINVAL;
 
-	binfile = xbps_append_full_path(false, path, filename);
-	if (binfile == NULL) {
-		free(path);
-		return EINVAL;
-	}
-	free(path);
-
 	printf("Checking SHA256 for %s ... ", filename);
 	(void)fflush(stdout);
 
@@ -212,25 +206,13 @@ char *
 xbps_get_pkg_index_plist(const char *path)
 {
 	struct utsname un;
-	char *plist, *p;
 
 	assert(path != NULL);
 
 	if (uname(&un) == -1)
 		return NULL;
 
-	p = xbps_append_full_path(false, path, un.machine);
-	if (p == NULL)
-		return NULL;
-
-	plist = xbps_append_full_path(false, p, XBPS_PKGINDEX);
-	if (plist == NULL) {
-		free(p);
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	free(p);
-
-	return plist;
+	return xbps_xasprintf("%s/%s/%s", path, un.machine, XBPS_PKGINDEX);
 }
 
 bool
@@ -256,6 +238,9 @@ xbps_set_rootdir(const char *dir)
 const char *
 xbps_get_rootdir(void)
 {
+	if (rootdir == NULL)
+		rootdir = "";
+
 	return rootdir;
 }
 
@@ -272,45 +257,15 @@ xbps_get_flags(void)
 }
 
 char *
-xbps_append_full_path(bool use_rootdir, const char *basedir, const char *plist)
+xbps_xasprintf(const char *fmt, ...)
 {
-	const char *env;
-	char *buf = NULL;
-	size_t len = 0;
+	va_list ap;
+	char *buf;
 
-	assert(plist != NULL);
-
-	if (basedir)
-		env = basedir;
-	else
-		env = XBPS_META_PATH;
-
-	if (rootdir && use_rootdir) {
-		len = strlen(rootdir) + strlen(env) + strlen(plist) + 2;
-		buf = malloc(len + 1);
-		if (buf == NULL) {
-			errno = ENOMEM;
-			return NULL;
-		}
-
-		if (snprintf(buf, len + 1, "%s/%s/%s",
-		    rootdir, env, plist) < 0) {
-			errno = ENOSPC;
-			return NULL;
-		}
-	} else {
-		len = strlen(env) + strlen(plist) + 1;
-		buf = malloc(len + 1);
-		if (buf == NULL) {
-			errno = ENOMEM;
-			return NULL;
-		}
-
-		if (snprintf(buf, len + 1, "%s/%s", env, plist) < 0) {
-			errno = ENOSPC;
-			return NULL;
-		}
-	}
+	va_start(ap, fmt);
+	if (vasprintf(&buf, fmt, ap) == -1)
+		return NULL;
+	va_end(ap);
 
 	return buf;
 }
diff --git a/vars.mk b/vars.mk
index 54506dc514d..607e5b6d996 100644
--- a/vars.mk
+++ b/vars.mk
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ INSTALL_STRIPPED ?= -s
 
 LDFLAGS += -L$(TOPDIR)/lib -L$(PREFIX)/lib -lxbps
 CPPFLAGS += -I$(TOPDIR)/include -D_BSD_SOURCE -D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600
+CPPFLAGS += -D_GNU_SOURCE
 WARNFLAGS ?= -pedantic -std=c99 -Wall -Wextra -Werror -Wshadow -Wformat=2
 WARNFLAGS += -Wmissing-declarations -Wcomment -Wunused-macros -Wendif-labels
 CFLAGS += $(WARNFLAGS) -O2 -fPIC -DPIC