diff --git a/cpus.c b/cpus.c
index 0c33458..f67c400 100644
--- a/cpus.c
+++ b/cpus.c
@@ -466,6 +466,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription icount_vmstate_timers = {
     .name = "timer/icount",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = icount_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT64(qemu_icount_bias, TimersState),
         VMSTATE_INT64(qemu_icount, TimersState),
@@ -483,13 +484,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_timers = {
         VMSTATE_INT64_V(cpu_clock_offset, TimersState, 2),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &icount_vmstate_timers,
-            .needed = icount_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &icount_vmstate_timers,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/docs/migration.txt b/docs/migration.txt
index 0492a45..ebe656b 100644
--- a/docs/migration.txt
+++ b/docs/migration.txt
@@ -257,6 +257,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_drive_pio_state = {
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .pre_save = ide_drive_pio_pre_save,
     .post_load = ide_drive_pio_post_load,
+    .needed = ide_drive_pio_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(req_nb_sectors, IDEState),
         VMSTATE_VARRAY_INT32(io_buffer, IDEState, io_buffer_total_len, 1,
@@ -279,13 +280,9 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_drive = {
         .... several fields ....
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ide_drive_pio_state,
-            .needed = ide_drive_pio_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_ide_drive_pio_state,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/exec.c b/exec.c
index 759055d..226ba95 100644
--- a/exec.c
+++ b/exec.c
@@ -450,6 +450,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_cpu_common_exception_index = {
     .name = "cpu_common/exception_index",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = cpu_common_exception_index_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(exception_index, CPUState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -467,13 +468,9 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_cpu_common = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(interrupt_request, CPUState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_cpu_common_exception_index,
-            .needed = cpu_common_exception_index_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_cpu_common_exception_index,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/acpi/ich9.c b/hw/acpi/ich9.c
index 7b14bbb..a78fc5b 100644
--- a/hw/acpi/ich9.c
+++ b/hw/acpi/ich9.c
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_memhp_state = {
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id_old = 1,
+    .needed = vmstate_test_use_memhp,
     .fields      = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_MEMORY_HOTPLUG(acpi_memory_hotplug, ICH9LPCPMRegs),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -174,12 +175,9 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ich9_pm = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(smi_sts, ICH9LPCPMRegs),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_memhp_state,
-            .needed = vmstate_test_use_memhp,
-        },
-        VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_memhp_state,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/acpi/piix4.c b/hw/acpi/piix4.c
index b72b34e..9675077 100644
--- a/hw/acpi/piix4.c
+++ b/hw/acpi/piix4.c
@@ -260,6 +260,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_memhp_state = {
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id_old = 1,
+    .needed = vmstate_test_use_memhp,
     .fields      = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_MEMORY_HOTPLUG(acpi_memory_hotplug, PIIX4PMState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -298,12 +299,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_acpi = {
                             vmstate_test_use_acpi_pci_hotplug),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_memhp_state,
-            .needed = vmstate_test_use_memhp,
-        },
-        VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+         &vmstate_memhp_state,
+         NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/block/fdc.c b/hw/block/fdc.c
index 6c86a6b..d39f44b 100644
--- a/hw/block/fdc.c
+++ b/hw/block/fdc.c
@@ -672,6 +672,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdrive_media_changed = {
     .name = "fdrive/media_changed",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fdrive_media_changed_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(media_changed, FDrive),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -689,6 +690,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdrive_media_rate = {
     .name = "fdrive/media_rate",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fdrive_media_rate_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(media_rate, FDrive),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -706,6 +708,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdrive_perpendicular = {
     .name = "fdrive/perpendicular",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fdrive_perpendicular_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(perpendicular, FDrive),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -729,19 +732,11 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdrive = {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(sect, FDrive),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fdrive_media_changed,
-            .needed = &fdrive_media_changed_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fdrive_media_rate,
-            .needed = &fdrive_media_rate_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fdrive_perpendicular,
-            .needed = &fdrive_perpendicular_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_fdrive_media_changed,
+        &vmstate_fdrive_media_rate,
+        &vmstate_fdrive_perpendicular,
+        NULL
     }
 };

@@ -772,6 +767,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdc_reset_sensei = {
     .name = "fdc/reset_sensei",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fdc_reset_sensei_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(reset_sensei, FDCtrl),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -789,6 +785,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdc_result_timer = {
     .name = "fdc/result_timer",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fdc_result_timer_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_TIMER(result_timer, FDCtrl),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -832,16 +829,10 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fdc = {
                              vmstate_fdrive, FDrive),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fdc_reset_sensei,
-            .needed = fdc_reset_sensei_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fdc_result_timer,
-            .needed = fdc_result_timer_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_fdc_reset_sensei,
+        &vmstate_fdc_result_timer,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/char/serial.c b/hw/char/serial.c
index ebcacdc..4e4be01 100644
--- a/hw/char/serial.c
+++ b/hw/char/serial.c
@@ -631,6 +631,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_thr_ipending = {
     .name = "serial/thr_ipending",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_thr_ipending_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(thr_ipending, SerialState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -647,6 +648,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_tsr = {
     .name = "serial/tsr",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_tsr_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(tsr_retry, SerialState),
         VMSTATE_UINT8(thr, SerialState),
@@ -666,6 +668,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_recv_fifo = {
     .name = "serial/recv_fifo",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_recv_fifo_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_STRUCT(recv_fifo, SerialState, 1, vmstate_fifo8, Fifo8),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -682,6 +685,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_xmit_fifo = {
     .name = "serial/xmit_fifo",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_xmit_fifo_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_STRUCT(xmit_fifo, SerialState, 1, vmstate_fifo8, Fifo8),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -698,6 +702,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_fifo_timeout_timer = {
     .name = "serial/fifo_timeout_timer",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_fifo_timeout_timer_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_TIMER(fifo_timeout_timer, SerialState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -714,6 +719,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_timeout_ipending = {
     .name = "serial/timeout_ipending",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_timeout_ipending_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(timeout_ipending, SerialState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -729,6 +735,7 @@ static bool serial_poll_needed(void *opaque)
 const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial_poll = {
     .name = "serial/poll",
     .version_id = 1,
+    .needed = serial_poll_needed,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(poll_msl, SerialState),
@@ -757,31 +764,15 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_serial = {
         VMSTATE_UINT8_V(fcr_vmstate, SerialState, 3),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_thr_ipending,
-            .needed = &serial_thr_ipending_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_tsr,
-            .needed = &serial_tsr_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_recv_fifo,
-            .needed = &serial_recv_fifo_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_xmit_fifo,
-            .needed = &serial_xmit_fifo_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_fifo_timeout_timer,
-            .needed = &serial_fifo_timeout_timer_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_timeout_ipending,
-            .needed = &serial_timeout_ipending_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_serial_poll,
-            .needed = &serial_poll_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_serial_thr_ipending,
+        &vmstate_serial_tsr,
+        &vmstate_serial_recv_fifo,
+        &vmstate_serial_xmit_fifo,
+        &vmstate_serial_fifo_timeout_timer,
+        &vmstate_serial_timeout_ipending,
+        &vmstate_serial_poll,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/display/qxl.c b/hw/display/qxl.c
index 93b3518..47a1f3a 100644
--- a/hw/display/qxl.c
+++ b/hw/display/qxl.c
@@ -2216,6 +2216,7 @@ static VMStateDescription qxl_vmstate_monitors_config = {
     .name               = "qxl/monitors-config",
     .version_id         = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = qxl_monitors_config_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(guest_monitors_config, PCIQXLDevice),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -2249,13 +2250,9 @@ static VMStateDescription qxl_vmstate = {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(guest_cursor, PCIQXLDevice),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &qxl_vmstate_monitors_config,
-            .needed = qxl_monitors_config_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &qxl_vmstate_monitors_config,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/display/vga.c b/hw/display/vga.c
index 19e7f23..db20c2a 100644
--- a/hw/display/vga.c
+++ b/hw/display/vga.c
@@ -2039,6 +2039,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_vga_endian = {
     .name = "vga.endian",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = vga_endian_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_BOOL(big_endian_fb, VGACommonState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -2082,13 +2083,9 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_vga_common = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(vbe_bank_mask, VGACommonState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_vga_endian,
-            .needed = vga_endian_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_vga_endian,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/ide/core.c b/hw/ide/core.c
index ae85428..d38e84f 100644
--- a/hw/ide/core.c
+++ b/hw/ide/core.c
@@ -2448,6 +2448,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_atapi_gesn_state = {
     .name ="ide_drive/atapi/gesn_state",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = ide_atapi_gesn_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_BOOL(events.new_media, IDEState),
         VMSTATE_BOOL(events.eject_request, IDEState),
@@ -2459,6 +2460,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_tray_state = {
     .name = "ide_drive/tray_state",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = ide_tray_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_BOOL(tray_open, IDEState),
         VMSTATE_BOOL(tray_locked, IDEState),
@@ -2472,6 +2474,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_drive_pio_state = {
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .pre_save = ide_drive_pio_pre_save,
     .post_load = ide_drive_pio_post_load,
+    .needed = ide_drive_pio_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(req_nb_sectors, IDEState),
         VMSTATE_VARRAY_INT32(io_buffer, IDEState, io_buffer_total_len, 1,
@@ -2513,19 +2516,11 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_drive = {
         VMSTATE_UINT8_V(cdrom_changed, IDEState, 3),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ide_drive_pio_state,
-            .needed = ide_drive_pio_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ide_tray_state,
-            .needed = ide_tray_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ide_atapi_gesn_state,
-            .needed = ide_atapi_gesn_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_ide_drive_pio_state,
+        &vmstate_ide_tray_state,
+        &vmstate_ide_atapi_gesn_state,
+        NULL
     }
 };

@@ -2533,6 +2528,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_error_status = {
     .name ="ide_bus/error",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = ide_error_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(error_status, IDEBus),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -2548,13 +2544,9 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ide_bus = {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(unit, IDEBus),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ide_error_status,
-            .needed = ide_error_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_ide_error_status,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/ide/pci.c b/hw/ide/pci.c
index 2397f35..07f66e0 100644
--- a/hw/ide/pci.c
+++ b/hw/ide/pci.c
@@ -402,6 +402,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_bmdma_current = {
     .name = "ide bmdma_current",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = ide_bmdma_current_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(cur_addr, BMDMAState),
         VMSTATE_UINT32(cur_prd_last, BMDMAState),
@@ -415,6 +416,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_bmdma_status = {
     .name ="ide bmdma/status",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = ide_bmdma_status_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(status, BMDMAState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -435,16 +437,10 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_bmdma = {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(unit, BMDMAState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_bmdma_current,
-            .needed = ide_bmdma_current_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_bmdma_status,
-            .needed = ide_bmdma_status_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_bmdma_current,
+        &vmstate_bmdma_status,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/input/pckbd.c b/hw/input/pckbd.c
index 2b0cd3d..8121b5b 100644
--- a/hw/input/pckbd.c
+++ b/hw/input/pckbd.c
@@ -385,23 +385,24 @@ static int kbd_outport_post_load(void *opaque, int version_id)
     return 0;
 }

+static bool kbd_outport_needed(void *opaque)
+{
+    KBDState *s = opaque;
+    return s->outport != kbd_outport_default(s);
+}
+
 static const VMStateDescription vmstate_kbd_outport = {
     .name = "pckbd_outport",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .post_load = kbd_outport_post_load,
+    .needed = kbd_outport_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(outport, KBDState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     }
 };

-static bool kbd_outport_needed(void *opaque)
-{
-    KBDState *s = opaque;
-    return s->outport != kbd_outport_default(s);
-}
-
 static int kbd_post_load(void *opaque, int version_id)
 {
     KBDState *s = opaque;
@@ -424,12 +425,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_kbd = {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(pending, KBDState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_kbd_outport,
-            .needed = kbd_outport_needed,
-        },
-        VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_kbd_outport,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/input/ps2.c b/hw/input/ps2.c
index a466e25..ac9dd7c 100644
--- a/hw/input/ps2.c
+++ b/hw/input/ps2.c
@@ -663,6 +663,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ps2_keyboard_ledstate = {
     .version_id = 3,
     .minimum_version_id = 2,
     .post_load = ps2_kbd_ledstate_post_load,
+    .needed = ps2_keyboard_ledstate_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32(ledstate, PS2KbdState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -703,13 +704,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ps2_keyboard = {
         VMSTATE_INT32_V(scancode_set, PS2KbdState,3),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ps2_keyboard_ledstate,
-            .needed = ps2_keyboard_ledstate_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_ps2_keyboard_ledstate,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/isa/lpc_ich9.c b/hw/isa/lpc_ich9.c
index 177023b..82312b5 100644
--- a/hw/isa/lpc_ich9.c
+++ b/hw/isa/lpc_ich9.c
@@ -625,6 +625,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ich9_rst_cnt = {
     .name = "ICH9LPC/rst_cnt",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = ich9_rst_cnt_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(rst_cnt, ICH9LPCState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -644,12 +645,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ich9_lpc = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(sci_level, ICH9LPCState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ich9_rst_cnt,
-            .needed = ich9_rst_cnt_needed
-        },
-        { 0 }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_ich9_rst_cnt,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/net/e1000.c b/hw/net/e1000.c
index 272df00..9bcf3b8 100644
--- a/hw/net/e1000.c
+++ b/hw/net/e1000.c
@@ -1367,6 +1367,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_e1000_mit_state = {
     .name = "e1000/mit_state",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = e1000_mit_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(mac_reg[RDTR], E1000State),
         VMSTATE_UINT32(mac_reg[RADV], E1000State),
@@ -1454,13 +1455,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_e1000 = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32_SUB_ARRAY(mac_reg, E1000State, VFTA, 128),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_e1000_mit_state,
-            .needed = e1000_mit_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_e1000_mit_state,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/net/rtl8139.c b/hw/net/rtl8139.c
index 6e59f38..50a1f1c 100644
--- a/hw/net/rtl8139.c
+++ b/hw/net/rtl8139.c
@@ -3270,6 +3270,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_rtl8139_hotplug_ready ={
     .name = "rtl8139/hotplug_ready",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = rtl8139_hotplug_ready_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     }
@@ -3366,13 +3367,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_rtl8139 = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32_V(cplus_enabled, RTL8139State, 4),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_rtl8139_hotplug_ready,
-            .needed = rtl8139_hotplug_ready_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_rtl8139_hotplug_ready,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/net/vmxnet3.c b/hw/net/vmxnet3.c
index f246fa1..036d3a5 100644
--- a/hw/net/vmxnet3.c
+++ b/hw/net/vmxnet3.c
@@ -2230,6 +2230,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmxstate_vmxnet3_mcast_list = {
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .pre_load = vmxnet3_mcast_list_pre_load,
+    .needed = vmxnet3_mc_list_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_VBUFFER_UINT32(mcast_list, VMXNET3State, 0, NULL, 0,
             mcast_list_buff_size),
@@ -2474,14 +2475,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_vmxnet3 = {

             VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmxstate_vmxnet3_mcast_list,
-            .needed = vmxnet3_mc_list_needed
-        },
-        {
-            /* empty element. */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmxstate_vmxnet3_mcast_list,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/pci-host/piix.c b/hw/pci-host/piix.c
index 1530038..f7f60dc 100644
--- a/hw/pci-host/piix.c
+++ b/hw/pci-host/piix.c
@@ -579,6 +579,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_piix3_rcr = {
     .name = "PIIX3/rcr",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = piix3_rcr_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(rcr, PIIX3State),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -597,12 +598,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_piix3 = {
                               PIIX_NUM_PIRQS, 3),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_piix3_rcr,
-            .needed = piix3_rcr_needed,
-        },
-        { 0 }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_piix3_rcr,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/scsi/scsi-bus.c b/hw/scsi/scsi-bus.c
index 0f3e039..14e0232 100644
--- a/hw/scsi/scsi-bus.c
+++ b/hw/scsi/scsi-bus.c
@@ -1965,6 +1965,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_scsi_sense_state = {
     .name = "SCSIDevice/sense",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = scsi_sense_state_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8_SUB_ARRAY(sense, SCSIDevice,
                                 SCSI_SENSE_BUF_SIZE_OLD,
@@ -1995,13 +1996,9 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_scsi_device = {
         },
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_scsi_sense_state,
-            .needed = scsi_sense_state_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_scsi_sense_state,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/timer/hpet.c b/hw/timer/hpet.c
index e160e8f..2f4913d 100644
--- a/hw/timer/hpet.c
+++ b/hw/timer/hpet.c
@@ -282,6 +282,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_hpet_rtc_irq_level = {
     .name = "hpet/rtc_irq_level",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = hpet_rtc_irq_level_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(rtc_irq_level, HPETState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -321,13 +322,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_hpet = {
                                     vmstate_hpet_timer, HPETTimer),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_hpet_rtc_irq_level,
-            .needed = hpet_rtc_irq_level_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_hpet_rtc_irq_level,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/timer/mc146818rtc.c b/hw/timer/mc146818rtc.c
index f18d128..8c9d46e 100644
--- a/hw/timer/mc146818rtc.c
+++ b/hw/timer/mc146818rtc.c
@@ -733,22 +733,23 @@ static int rtc_post_load(void *opaque, int version_id)
     return 0;
 }

+static bool rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count_needed(void *opaque)
+{
+    RTCState *s = (RTCState *)opaque;
+    return s->irq_reinject_on_ack_count != 0;
+}
+
 static const VMStateDescription vmstate_rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count = {
     .name = "irq_reinject_on_ack_count",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT16(irq_reinject_on_ack_count, RTCState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     }
 };

-static bool rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count_needed(void *opaque)
-{
-    RTCState *s = (RTCState *)opaque;
-    return s->irq_reinject_on_ack_count != 0;
-}
-
 static const VMStateDescription vmstate_rtc = {
     .name = "mc146818rtc",
     .version_id = 3,
@@ -770,13 +771,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_rtc = {
         VMSTATE_UINT64_V(next_alarm_time, RTCState, 3),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count,
-            .needed = rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_rtc_irq_reinject_on_ack_count,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/usb/hcd-ohci.c b/hw/usb/hcd-ohci.c
index 9a84eb6..7d5e983 100644
--- a/hw/usb/hcd-ohci.c
+++ b/hw/usb/hcd-ohci.c
@@ -2014,6 +2014,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ohci_eof_timer = {
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .pre_load = ohci_eof_timer_pre_load,
+    .needed = ohci_eof_timer_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_TIMER(eof_timer, OHCIState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -2061,13 +2062,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_ohci_state = {
         VMSTATE_BOOL(async_complete, OHCIState),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_ohci_eof_timer,
-            .needed = ohci_eof_timer_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_ohci_eof_timer,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/usb/redirect.c b/hw/usb/redirect.c
index e2c9896..e2d7bac 100644
--- a/hw/usb/redirect.c
+++ b/hw/usb/redirect.c
@@ -2256,40 +2256,42 @@ static const VMStateInfo usbredir_ep_bufpq_vmstate_info = {


 /* For endp_data migration */
+static bool usbredir_bulk_receiving_needed(void *priv)
+{
+    struct endp_data *endp = priv;
+
+    return endp->bulk_receiving_started;
+}
+
 static const VMStateDescription usbredir_bulk_receiving_vmstate = {
     .name = "usb-redir-ep/bulk-receiving",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = usbredir_bulk_receiving_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(bulk_receiving_started, struct endp_data),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     }
 };

-static bool usbredir_bulk_receiving_needed(void *priv)
+static bool usbredir_stream_needed(void *priv)
 {
     struct endp_data *endp = priv;

-    return endp->bulk_receiving_started;
+    return endp->max_streams;
 }

 static const VMStateDescription usbredir_stream_vmstate = {
     .name = "usb-redir-ep/stream-state",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = usbredir_stream_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(max_streams, struct endp_data),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     }
 };

-static bool usbredir_stream_needed(void *priv)
-{
-    struct endp_data *endp = priv;
-
-    return endp->max_streams;
-}
-
 static const VMStateDescription usbredir_ep_vmstate = {
     .name = "usb-redir-ep",
     .version_id = 1,
@@ -2317,16 +2319,10 @@ static const VMStateDescription usbredir_ep_vmstate = {
         VMSTATE_INT32(bufpq_target_size, struct endp_data),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &usbredir_bulk_receiving_vmstate,
-            .needed = usbredir_bulk_receiving_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &usbredir_stream_vmstate,
-            .needed = usbredir_stream_needed,
-        }, {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &usbredir_bulk_receiving_vmstate,
+        &usbredir_stream_vmstate,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/hw/virtio/virtio.c b/hw/virtio/virtio.c
index 2c236bf..abdf5c5 100644
--- a/hw/virtio/virtio.c
+++ b/hw/virtio/virtio.c
@@ -887,6 +887,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_virtio_device_endian = {
     .name = "virtio/device_endian",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = &virtio_device_endian_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT8(device_endian, VirtIODevice),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -901,12 +902,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_virtio = {
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_virtio_device_endian,
-            .needed = &virtio_device_endian_needed
-        },
-        { 0 }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_virtio_device_endian,
+        NULL
     }
 };

diff --git a/include/migration/vmstate.h b/include/migration/vmstate.h
index 9a001bd..3556924 100644
--- a/include/migration/vmstate.h
+++ b/include/migration/vmstate.h
@@ -119,11 +119,6 @@ typedef struct {
     bool (*field_exists)(void *opaque, int version_id);
 } VMStateField;

-typedef struct VMStateSubsection {
-    const VMStateDescription *vmsd;
-    bool (*needed)(void *opaque);
-} VMStateSubsection;
-
 struct VMStateDescription {
     const char *name;
     int unmigratable;
@@ -134,8 +129,9 @@ struct VMStateDescription {
     int (*pre_load)(void *opaque);
     int (*post_load)(void *opaque, int version_id);
     void (*pre_save)(void *opaque);
+    bool (*needed)(void *opaque);
     VMStateField *fields;
-    const VMStateSubsection *subsections;
+    const VMStateDescription **subsections;
 };

 #ifdef CONFIG_USER_ONLY
diff --git a/savevm.c b/savevm.c
index 2d8eb96..eed43e6 100644
--- a/savevm.c
+++ b/savevm.c
@@ -263,11 +263,11 @@ static void dump_vmstate_vmsf(FILE *out_file, const VMStateField *field,
 }

 static void dump_vmstate_vmss(FILE *out_file,
-                              const VMStateSubsection *subsection,
+                              const VMStateDescription **subsection,
                               int indent)
 {
-    if (subsection->vmsd != NULL) {
-        dump_vmstate_vmsd(out_file, subsection->vmsd, indent, true);
+    if (*subsection != NULL) {
+        dump_vmstate_vmsd(out_file, *subsection, indent, true);
     }
 }

@@ -308,12 +308,12 @@ static void dump_vmstate_vmsd(FILE *out_file,
         fprintf(out_file, "\n%*s]", indent, "");
     }
     if (vmsd->subsections != NULL) {
-        const VMStateSubsection *subsection = vmsd->subsections;
+        const VMStateDescription **subsection = vmsd->subsections;
         bool first;

         fprintf(out_file, ",\n%*s\"Subsections\": [\n", indent, "");
         first = true;
-        while (subsection->vmsd != NULL) {
+        while (*subsection != NULL) {
             if (!first) {
                 fprintf(out_file, ",\n");
             }
diff --git a/target-arm/machine.c b/target-arm/machine.c
index ddb7d05..07803d0 100644
--- a/target-arm/machine.c
+++ b/target-arm/machine.c
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_vfp = {
     .name = "cpu/vfp",
     .version_id = 3,
     .minimum_version_id = 3,
+    .needed = vfp_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_FLOAT64_ARRAY(env.vfp.regs, ARMCPU, 64),
         /* The xregs array is a little awkward because element 1 (FPSCR)
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_iwmmxt = {
     .name = "cpu/iwmmxt",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = iwmmxt_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64_ARRAY(env.iwmmxt.regs, ARMCPU, 16),
         VMSTATE_UINT32_ARRAY(env.iwmmxt.cregs, ARMCPU, 16),
@@ -91,6 +93,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_m = {
     .name = "cpu/m",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = m_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(env.v7m.other_sp, ARMCPU),
         VMSTATE_UINT32(env.v7m.vecbase, ARMCPU),
@@ -114,6 +117,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_thumb2ee = {
     .name = "cpu/thumb2ee",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = thumb2ee_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT32(env.teecr, ARMCPU),
         VMSTATE_UINT32(env.teehbr, ARMCPU),
@@ -265,21 +269,11 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_arm_cpu = {
         VMSTATE_TIMER(gt_timer[GTIMER_VIRT], ARMCPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection[]) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_vfp,
-            .needed = vfp_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_iwmmxt,
-            .needed = iwmmxt_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_m,
-            .needed = m_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_thumb2ee,
-            .needed = thumb2ee_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_vfp,
+        &vmstate_iwmmxt,
+        &vmstate_m,
+        &vmstate_thumb2ee,
+        NULL
     }
 };
diff --git a/target-i386/machine.c b/target-i386/machine.c
index 0dd49f0..b8f39b4 100644
--- a/target-i386/machine.c
+++ b/target-i386/machine.c
@@ -358,6 +358,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_steal_time_msr = {
     .name = "cpu/steal_time_msr",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = steal_time_msr_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.steal_time_msr, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -368,6 +369,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_async_pf_msr = {
     .name = "cpu/async_pf_msr",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = async_pf_msr_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.async_pf_en_msr, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -378,6 +380,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_pv_eoi_msr = {
     .name = "cpu/async_pv_eoi_msr",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = pv_eoi_msr_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.pv_eoi_en_msr, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -396,6 +399,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fpop_ip_dp = {
     .name = "cpu/fpop_ip_dp",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fpop_ip_dp_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT16(env.fpop, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.fpip, X86CPU),
@@ -416,6 +420,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_tsc_adjust = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_tsc_adjust",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = tsc_adjust_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.tsc_adjust, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -434,6 +439,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_tscdeadline = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_tscdeadline",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = tscdeadline_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.tsc_deadline, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -460,6 +466,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_ia32_misc_enable = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_ia32_misc_enable",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = misc_enable_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_ia32_misc_enable, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -470,6 +477,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_ia32_feature_control = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_ia32_feature_control",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = feature_control_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_ia32_feature_control, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -504,6 +512,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_architectural_pmu = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_architectural_pmu",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = pmu_enable_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_fixed_ctr_ctrl, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_global_ctrl, X86CPU),
@@ -539,6 +548,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_mpx = {
     .name = "cpu/mpx",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = mpx_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_BND_REGS(env.bnd_regs, X86CPU, 4),
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.bndcs_regs.cfgu, X86CPU),
@@ -560,6 +570,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_hypercall_hypercall = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_hyperv_hypercall",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = hyperv_hypercall_enable_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_hv_guest_os_id, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_hv_hypercall, X86CPU),
@@ -579,6 +590,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_hyperv_vapic = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_hyperv_vapic",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = hyperv_vapic_enable_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_hv_vapic, X86CPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -596,6 +608,7 @@ static bool hyperv_time_enable_needed(void *opaque)
 static const VMStateDescription vmstate_msr_hyperv_time = {
     .name = "cpu/msr_hyperv_time",
     .version_id = 1,
+    .needed = hyperv_time_enable_needed,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64(env.msr_hv_tsc, X86CPU),
@@ -705,48 +718,20 @@ VMStateDescription vmstate_x86_cpu = {
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
         /* The above list is not sorted /wrt version numbers, watch out! */
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_async_pf_msr,
-            .needed = async_pf_msr_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_pv_eoi_msr,
-            .needed = pv_eoi_msr_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_steal_time_msr,
-            .needed = steal_time_msr_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fpop_ip_dp,
-            .needed = fpop_ip_dp_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_tsc_adjust,
-            .needed = tsc_adjust_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_tscdeadline,
-            .needed = tscdeadline_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_ia32_misc_enable,
-            .needed = misc_enable_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_ia32_feature_control,
-            .needed = feature_control_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_architectural_pmu,
-            .needed = pmu_enable_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_mpx,
-            .needed = mpx_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_hypercall_hypercall,
-            .needed = hyperv_hypercall_enable_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_hyperv_vapic,
-            .needed = hyperv_vapic_enable_needed,
-        }, {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_msr_hyperv_time,
-            .needed = hyperv_time_enable_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_async_pf_msr,
+        &vmstate_pv_eoi_msr,
+        &vmstate_steal_time_msr,
+        &vmstate_fpop_ip_dp,
+        &vmstate_msr_tsc_adjust,
+        &vmstate_msr_tscdeadline,
+        &vmstate_msr_ia32_misc_enable,
+        &vmstate_msr_ia32_feature_control,
+        &vmstate_msr_architectural_pmu,
+        &vmstate_mpx,
+        &vmstate_msr_hypercall_hypercall,
+        &vmstate_msr_hyperv_vapic,
+        &vmstate_msr_hyperv_time,
+        NULL
     }
 };
diff --git a/target-ppc/machine.c b/target-ppc/machine.c
index c801b82..3c10a41 100644
--- a/target-ppc/machine.c
+++ b/target-ppc/machine.c
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_fpu = {
     .name = "cpu/fpu",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = fpu_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_FLOAT64_ARRAY(env.fpr, PowerPCCPU, 32),
         VMSTATE_UINTTL(env.fpscr, PowerPCCPU),
@@ -225,6 +226,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_altivec = {
     .name = "cpu/altivec",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = altivec_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_AVR_ARRAY(env.avr, PowerPCCPU, 32),
         VMSTATE_UINT32(env.vscr, PowerPCCPU),
@@ -243,6 +245,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_vsx = {
     .name = "cpu/vsx",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = vsx_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINT64_ARRAY(env.vsr, PowerPCCPU, 32),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -263,6 +266,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_tm = {
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id_old = 1,
+    .needed = tm_needed,
     .fields      = (VMStateField []) {
         VMSTATE_UINTTL_ARRAY(env.tm_gpr, PowerPCCPU, 32),
         VMSTATE_AVR_ARRAY(env.tm_vsr, PowerPCCPU, 64),
@@ -296,6 +300,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_sr = {
     .name = "cpu/sr",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = sr_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINTTL_ARRAY(env.sr, PowerPCCPU, 32),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -345,6 +350,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_slb = {
     .name = "cpu/slb",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = slb_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32_EQUAL(env.slb_nr, PowerPCCPU),
         VMSTATE_SLB_ARRAY(env.slb, PowerPCCPU, MAX_SLB_ENTRIES),
@@ -377,6 +383,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_tlb6xx = {
     .name = "cpu/tlb6xx",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = tlb6xx_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32_EQUAL(env.nb_tlb, PowerPCCPU),
         VMSTATE_STRUCT_VARRAY_POINTER_INT32(env.tlb.tlb6, PowerPCCPU,
@@ -423,6 +430,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_pbr403 = {
     .name = "cpu/pbr403",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = pbr403_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_UINTTL_ARRAY(env.pb, PowerPCCPU, 4),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
@@ -433,6 +441,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_tlbemb = {
     .name = "cpu/tlb6xx",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = tlbemb_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32_EQUAL(env.nb_tlb, PowerPCCPU),
         VMSTATE_STRUCT_VARRAY_POINTER_INT32(env.tlb.tlbe, PowerPCCPU,
@@ -442,13 +451,9 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_tlbemb = {
         /* 403 protection registers */
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_pbr403,
-            .needed = pbr403_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_pbr403,
+        NULL
     }
 };

@@ -477,6 +482,7 @@ static const VMStateDescription vmstate_tlbmas = {
     .name = "cpu/tlbmas",
     .version_id = 1,
     .minimum_version_id = 1,
+    .needed = tlbmas_needed,
     .fields = (VMStateField[]) {
         VMSTATE_INT32_EQUAL(env.nb_tlb, PowerPCCPU),
         VMSTATE_STRUCT_VARRAY_POINTER_INT32(env.tlb.tlbm, PowerPCCPU,
@@ -527,38 +533,18 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ppc_cpu = {
         VMSTATE_UINT32_EQUAL(env.nb_BATs, PowerPCCPU),
         VMSTATE_END_OF_LIST()
     },
-    .subsections = (VMStateSubsection []) {
-        {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_fpu,
-            .needed = fpu_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_altivec,
-            .needed = altivec_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_vsx,
-            .needed = vsx_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_sr,
-            .needed = sr_needed,
-        } , {
+    .subsections = (const VMStateDescription *[]) {
+        &vmstate_fpu,
+        &vmstate_altivec,
+        &vmstate_vsx,
+        &vmstate_sr,
 #ifdef TARGET_PPC64
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_tm,
-            .needed = tm_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_slb,
-            .needed = slb_needed,
-        } , {
+        &vmstate_tm,
+        &vmstate_slb,
 #endif /* TARGET_PPC64 */
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_tlb6xx,
-            .needed = tlb6xx_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_tlbemb,
-            .needed = tlbemb_needed,
-        } , {
-            .vmsd = &vmstate_tlbmas,
-            .needed = tlbmas_needed,
-        } , {
-            /* empty */
-        }
+        &vmstate_tlb6xx,
+        &vmstate_tlbemb,
+        &vmstate_tlbmas,
+        NULL
     }
 };
diff --git a/vmstate.c b/vmstate.c
index ef2f87b..bb02b7d 100644
--- a/vmstate.c
+++ b/vmstate.c
@@ -171,11 +171,11 @@ void vmstate_save_state(QEMUFile *f, const VMStateDescription *vmsd,
 }

 static const VMStateDescription *
-    vmstate_get_subsection(const VMStateSubsection *sub, char *idstr)
+vmstate_get_subsection(const VMStateDescription **sub, char *idstr)
 {
-    while (sub && sub->needed) {
-        if (strcmp(idstr, sub->vmsd->name) == 0) {
-            return sub->vmsd;
+    while (sub && *sub && (*sub)->needed) {
+        if (strcmp(idstr, (*sub)->name) == 0) {
+            return *sub;
         }
         sub++;
     }
@@ -226,11 +226,11 @@ static int vmstate_subsection_load(QEMUFile *f, const VMStateDescription *vmsd,
 static void vmstate_subsection_save(QEMUFile *f, const VMStateDescription *vmsd,
                                     void *opaque)
 {
-    const VMStateSubsection *sub = vmsd->subsections;
+    const VMStateDescription **sub = vmsd->subsections;

-    while (sub && sub->needed) {
-        if (sub->needed(opaque)) {
-            const VMStateDescription *vmsd = sub->vmsd;
+    while (sub && *sub && (*sub)->needed) {
+        if ((*sub)->needed(opaque)) {
+            const VMStateDescription *vmsd = *sub;
             uint8_t len;

             qemu_put_byte(f, QEMU_VM_SUBSECTION);
