diff --git a/coregrind/vg_errcontext.c b/coregrind/vg_errcontext.c
index 49d208fbf..6ba7343a9 100644
--- a/coregrind/vg_errcontext.c
+++ b/coregrind/vg_errcontext.c
@@ -315,8 +315,7 @@ void VG_(maybe_record_error) ( ThreadState* tst,
    /* OK, we're really going to collect it.  First make a copy,
       because the error context is on the stack and will disappear shortly.
       We can duplicate the main part ourselves, but use
-      SK_(dup_extra_and_update) to duplicate the `extra' part (unless it's
-      NULL).
+      SK_(dup_extra_and_update) to duplicate the `extra' part.
      
       SK_(dup_extra_and_update) can also update the `extra' part.  This is
       for when there are more details to fill in which take time to work out
@@ -326,9 +325,7 @@ void VG_(maybe_record_error) ( ThreadState* tst,
     */
    p = VG_(arena_malloc)(VG_AR_ERRORS, sizeof(Error));
    *p = err;
-   if (NULL != err.extra)
-      p->extra = SK_(dup_extra_and_update)(p);
-
+   p->extra = SK_(dup_extra_and_update)(p);
    p->next = vg_errors;
    p->supp = is_suppressible_error(&err);
    vg_errors = p;
diff --git a/coregrind/vg_include.h b/coregrind/vg_include.h
index 509697d9f..dcd03265c 100644
--- a/coregrind/vg_include.h
+++ b/coregrind/vg_include.h
@@ -1188,7 +1188,6 @@ struct _Error {
    /* NULL if unsuppressed; or ptr to suppression record. */
    Supp* supp;
    Int count;
-   ExeContext* where;
    ThreadId tid;
    /* These record %EIP, %ESP and %EBP at the error point.  They
       are only used to make GDB-attaching convenient; there is no
@@ -1199,6 +1198,8 @@ struct _Error {
    UInt m_ebp;
 
    /* The skin-specific part */
+   /* Initialised by core */
+   ExeContext* where;
    /* Used by ALL.  Must be in the range (0..) */
    Int ekind;
    /* Used frequently */
diff --git a/coregrind/vg_needs.c b/coregrind/vg_needs.c
index c725f9541..2caea8dfc 100644
--- a/coregrind/vg_needs.c
+++ b/coregrind/vg_needs.c
@@ -277,6 +277,11 @@ void VG_(set_supp_extra)  ( Supp* su, void* extra )
 /*--------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 /* Errors */
 
+ExeContext* VG_(get_error_where) ( Error* err )
+{
+   return err->ekind;
+}
+
 ErrorKind VG_(get_error_kind) ( Error* err )
 {
    return err->ekind;