diff --git a/embedded/emitter.ts b/embedded/emitter.ts
index be3141ac..41d573fe 100644
--- a/embedded/emitter.ts
+++ b/embedded/emitter.ts
@@ -88,7 +88,10 @@ module TDev {
           env.indent + this.visit(env, expr.tree) + ";");
       }
 
-      public visitExprHolder(env: H.Env, locals: J.JLocalDef[], expr: J.JExprHolder) {
+      public visitExprHolder(env: H.Env, locals: J.JLocalDef[], expr: J.JExpr) {
+        if (H.isInitialRecordAssignment(locals, expr))
+          return this.visit(env, locals[0])+"(new "+H.mkType(env, this.libraryMap, locals[0].type)+"_)";
+
         var decls = locals.map(d => {
           // Side-effect: marks [d] as promoted, if needed.
           var decl = this.visit(env, d);
@@ -122,7 +125,7 @@ module TDev {
         var l = H.resolveLocal(env, name, id);
         if (H.shouldPromoteToRef(env, type, isByRef)) {
           H.markPromoted(env, id);
-          return "ManagedType<"+ t + "> " + l + "(new "+t+")";
+          return "Ref<"+ t + "> " + l;
         } else {
           return t + " " + l;
         }
diff --git a/embedded/helpers.ts b/embedded/helpers.ts
index a9182a69..89f5765a 100644
--- a/embedded/helpers.ts
+++ b/embedded/helpers.ts
@@ -479,6 +479,21 @@ module TDev {
         return x.nodeType == "stringLiteral" && (<J.JStringLiteral> x).value;
       }
 
+      export function isInitialRecordAssignment(locals: J.JLocalDef[], expr: J.JExpr) {
+        return (
+          locals.length == 1 &&
+          expr.nodeType == "call" &&
+          (<J.JCall> expr).name == ":=" &&
+          (<J.JCall> expr).args.length == 2 &&
+          (<J.JCall> expr).args[1].nodeType == "call" &&
+          isRecordConstructor(
+            (<J.JCall> (<J.JCall> expr).args[1]).name,
+            (<J.JCall> (<J.JCall> expr).args[1]).args) &&
+          (<J.JCall> expr).args[0].nodeType == "localRef" &&
+          (<J.JLocalRef> (<J.JCall> expr).args[0]).localId == <any> locals[0].id
+        );
+      }
+
       export function willCompile (f: J.JAction) {
         return isShimBody(f.body) == null;
       }