diff --git a/pgraph/pgraph_test.go b/pgraph/pgraph_test.go
index 583abbf4..cad42aed 100644
--- a/pgraph/pgraph_test.go
+++ b/pgraph/pgraph_test.go
@@ -26,6 +26,15 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
+// NV is a helper function to make testing easier. It creates a new noop vertex.
+func NV(s string) *Vertex {
+	obj, err := NewNoopRes(s)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err) // unlikely test failure!
+	}
+	return NewVertex(obj)
+}
+
 func TestPgraphT1(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g1")
@@ -38,8 +47,8 @@ func TestPgraphT1(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Should have 0 edges instead of: %d.", i)
 	}
 
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	G.AddEdge(v1, v2, e1)
 
@@ -55,12 +64,12 @@ func TestPgraphT1(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPgraphT2(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g2")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -82,12 +91,12 @@ func TestPgraphT2(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPgraphT3(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g3")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -123,9 +132,9 @@ func TestPgraphT3(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPgraphT4(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g4")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -145,12 +154,12 @@ func TestPgraphT4(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPgraphT5(t *testing.T) {
 	G := NewGraph("g5")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -174,12 +183,12 @@ func TestPgraphT5(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPgraphT6(t *testing.T) {
 	G := NewGraph("g6")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -212,9 +221,9 @@ func TestPgraphT6(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPgraphT7(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g7")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -253,28 +262,28 @@ func TestPgraphT7(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPgraphT8(t *testing.T) {
 
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
 	if VertexContains(v1, []*Vertex{v1, v2, v3}) != true {
 		t.Errorf("Should be true instead of false.")
 	}
 
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	if VertexContains(v4, []*Vertex{v5, v6}) != false {
 		t.Errorf("Should be false instead of true.")
 	}
 
-	v7 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v7"))
-	v8 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v8"))
-	v9 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v9"))
+	v7 := NV("v7")
+	v8 := NV("v8")
+	v9 := NV("v9")
 	if VertexContains(v8, []*Vertex{v7, v8, v9}) != true {
 		t.Errorf("Should be true instead of false.")
 	}
 
-	v1b := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1")) // same value, different objects
+	v1b := NV("v1") // same value, different objects
 	if VertexContains(v1b, []*Vertex{v1, v2, v3}) != false {
 		t.Errorf("Should be false instead of true.")
 	}
@@ -283,12 +292,12 @@ func TestPgraphT8(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPgraphT9(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g9")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -359,12 +368,12 @@ func TestPgraphT9(t *testing.T) {
 func TestPgraphT10(t *testing.T) {
 
 	G := NewGraph("g10")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -399,8 +408,8 @@ func TestPgraphReachability0(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	{
 		G := NewGraph("g")
-		v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-		v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+		v1 := NV("v1")
+		v6 := NV("v6")
 
 		result := G.Reachability(v1, v6)
 		expected := []*Vertex{}
@@ -416,12 +425,12 @@ func TestPgraphReachability0(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	{
 		G := NewGraph("g")
-		v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-		v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-		v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-		v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-		v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-		v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+		v1 := NV("v1")
+		v2 := NV("v2")
+		v3 := NV("v3")
+		v4 := NV("v4")
+		v5 := NV("v5")
+		v6 := NV("v6")
 		e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 		e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 		e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -450,12 +459,12 @@ func TestPgraphReachability0(t *testing.T) {
 // simple linear path
 func TestPgraphReachability1(t *testing.T) {
 	G := NewGraph("g")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -484,12 +493,12 @@ func TestPgraphReachability1(t *testing.T) {
 // pick one of two correct paths
 func TestPgraphReachability2(t *testing.T) {
 	G := NewGraph("g")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -521,12 +530,12 @@ func TestPgraphReachability2(t *testing.T) {
 // pick shortest path
 func TestPgraphReachability3(t *testing.T) {
 	G := NewGraph("g")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -556,12 +565,12 @@ func TestPgraphReachability3(t *testing.T) {
 // direct path
 func TestPgraphReachability4(t *testing.T) {
 	G := NewGraph("g")
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 	e1 := NewEdge("e1")
 	e2 := NewEdge("e2")
 	e3 := NewEdge("e3")
@@ -589,12 +598,12 @@ func TestPgraphReachability4(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPgraphT11(t *testing.T) {
-	v1 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v1"))
-	v2 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v2"))
-	v3 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v3"))
-	v4 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v4"))
-	v5 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v5"))
-	v6 := NewVertex(NewNoopRes("v6"))
+	v1 := NV("v1")
+	v2 := NV("v2")
+	v3 := NV("v3")
+	v4 := NV("v4")
+	v5 := NV("v5")
+	v6 := NV("v6")
 
 	if rev := Reverse([]*Vertex{}); !reflect.DeepEqual(rev, []*Vertex{}) {
 		t.Errorf("Reverse of vertex slice failed.")
diff --git a/resources/exec.go b/resources/exec.go
index 75a8b400..b81112b7 100644
--- a/resources/exec.go
+++ b/resources/exec.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ type ExecRes struct {
 }
 
 // NewExecRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewExecRes(name, cmd, shell string, timeout int, watchcmd, watchshell, ifcmd, ifshell string, pollint int, state string) *ExecRes {
+func NewExecRes(name, cmd, shell string, timeout int, watchcmd, watchshell, ifcmd, ifshell string, pollint int, state string) (*ExecRes, error) {
 	obj := &ExecRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
@@ -66,8 +66,7 @@ func NewExecRes(name, cmd, shell string, timeout int, watchcmd, watchshell, ifcm
 		PollInt:    pollint,
 		State:      state,
 	}
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/file.go b/resources/file.go
index 0af51e86..39b5c1f9 100644
--- a/resources/file.go
+++ b/resources/file.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ type FileRes struct {
 }
 
 // NewFileRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewFileRes(name, path, dirname, basename, content, source, state string, recurse, force bool) *FileRes {
+func NewFileRes(name, path, dirname, basename, content, source, state string, recurse, force bool) (*FileRes, error) {
 	obj := &FileRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
@@ -74,8 +74,7 @@ func NewFileRes(name, path, dirname, basename, content, source, state string, re
 		Recurse:  recurse,
 		Force:    force,
 	}
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/msg.go b/resources/msg.go
index af5318dc..a499b1b4 100644
--- a/resources/msg.go
+++ b/resources/msg.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ type MsgUID struct {
 }
 
 // NewMsgRes is a constructor for this resource.
-func NewMsgRes(name, body, priority string, journal, syslog bool, fields map[string]string) *MsgRes {
+func NewMsgRes(name, body, priority string, journal, syslog bool, fields map[string]string) (*MsgRes, error) {
 	message := name
 	if body != "" {
 		message = body
@@ -71,8 +71,7 @@ func NewMsgRes(name, body, priority string, journal, syslog bool, fields map[str
 		Syslog:   syslog,
 	}
 
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/noop.go b/resources/noop.go
index 51f70a1d..e06eef8c 100644
--- a/resources/noop.go
+++ b/resources/noop.go
@@ -36,15 +36,14 @@ type NoopRes struct {
 }
 
 // NewNoopRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewNoopRes(name string) *NoopRes {
+func NewNoopRes(name string) (*NoopRes, error) {
 	obj := &NoopRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
 		},
 		Comment: "",
 	}
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/pkg.go b/resources/pkg.go
index db9607f0..3dee52cb 100644
--- a/resources/pkg.go
+++ b/resources/pkg.go
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ type PkgRes struct {
 }
 
 // NewPkgRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewPkgRes(name, state string, allowuntrusted, allownonfree, allowunsupported bool) *PkgRes {
+func NewPkgRes(name, state string, allowuntrusted, allownonfree, allowunsupported bool) (*PkgRes, error) {
 	obj := &PkgRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
@@ -58,8 +58,7 @@ func NewPkgRes(name, state string, allowuntrusted, allownonfree, allowunsupporte
 		AllowNonFree:     allownonfree,
 		AllowUnsupported: allowunsupported,
 	}
-	obj.Init() // XXX: on error return nil, or separate error return?
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/svc.go b/resources/svc.go
index 4ccfc5a9..539b1a30 100644
--- a/resources/svc.go
+++ b/resources/svc.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ type SvcRes struct {
 }
 
 // NewSvcRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewSvcRes(name, state, startup string) *SvcRes {
+func NewSvcRes(name, state, startup string) (*SvcRes, error) {
 	obj := &SvcRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
@@ -54,8 +54,7 @@ func NewSvcRes(name, state, startup string) *SvcRes {
 		State:   state,
 		Startup: startup,
 	}
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/timer.go b/resources/timer.go
index 8852212c..3d39690a 100644
--- a/resources/timer.go
+++ b/resources/timer.go
@@ -42,15 +42,14 @@ type TimerUID struct {
 }
 
 // NewTimerRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewTimerRes(name string, interval int) *TimerRes {
+func NewTimerRes(name string, interval int) (*TimerRes, error) {
 	obj := &TimerRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
 		},
 		Interval: interval,
 	}
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.
diff --git a/resources/virt.go b/resources/virt.go
index a8c7c3c3..bfce8c2e 100644
--- a/resources/virt.go
+++ b/resources/virt.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ type VirtRes struct {
 }
 
 // NewVirtRes is a constructor for this resource. It also calls Init() for you.
-func NewVirtRes(name string, uri, state string, transient bool, cpus uint, memory uint64) *VirtRes {
+func NewVirtRes(name string, uri, state string, transient bool, cpus uint, memory uint64) (*VirtRes, error) {
 	obj := &VirtRes{
 		BaseRes: BaseRes{
 			Name: name,
@@ -71,8 +71,7 @@ func NewVirtRes(name string, uri, state string, transient bool, cpus uint, memor
 		CPUs:      cpus,
 		Memory:    memory,
 	}
-	obj.Init()
-	return obj
+	return obj, obj.Init()
 }
 
 // Init runs some startup code for this resource.