diff --git a/typeclass_helpers.h b/typeclass_helpers.h
index 7c96b97..832fdbe 100644
--- a/typeclass_helpers.h
+++ b/typeclass_helpers.h
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ __Return (*const __Name##_)(__VA_ARGS__) = __Name; (void)__Name##_
 #define decl_typeclass_impl(__Typeclass, __Type)\
 extern __Typeclass __Type##_as_##__Typeclass(__Type*);
 
-#define new(T) malloc(sizeof(T))
-#define new_as(T, TC) T##_as_##TC(new(T))
+#define new(T) (malloc(sizeof(T)))
+#define new_as(T, TC) (T##_as_##TC(new(T)))
+#define tc_is_null(SELF) (SELF.data == NULL && SELF.tc == NULL)
+#define tc_null(TC) (TC){.data=NULL, .tc=NULL}
 
 #endif // !CUTES_TYPECLASS_HELPERS_H