diff --git a/c/lib/mvfuncs.c b/c/lib/mvfuncs.c
index 9ec18a0bd..0e83d6fc3 100644
--- a/c/lib/mvfuncs.c
+++ b/c/lib/mvfuncs.c
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ mv_t s_s_capitalize_func(mv_t* pval1) {
 }
 
 mv_t s_s_system_func(mv_t* pval1) {
-	char* cmd = mlr_strdup_or_die(pval1->u.strv);
+	char* cmd = pval1->u.strv;
 
 	mv_t retval = mv_from_string_no_free("error-running-system-command");
 	string_builder_t* psb = sb_alloc(100);
@@ -478,6 +478,7 @@ mv_t s_s_system_func(mv_t* pval1) {
 
 		retval = mv_from_string_with_free(output_string);
 	}
+	sb_free(psb);
 
 	mv_free(pval1);
 	pval1->u.strv = NULL;
diff --git a/c/todo.txt b/c/todo.txt
index 762a3d304..81956509f 100644
--- a/c/todo.txt
+++ b/c/todo.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ TOP OF LIST
 quick doc:
 * multi-join @ FAQ
 * doc/bld note for vgrun oo
+  - git log; find last release
+  - git diff -r xxxxx reg_test/run
+  - export indir=./reg_test/input
+  - vgrun mlr ...
 
 * sort-within-records
 * system()