diff --git a/eventfd.c b/eventfd.c
index 02e26403..e1b68390 100644
--- a/eventfd.c
+++ b/eventfd.c
@@ -120,34 +120,19 @@ static struct file_desc_ops eventfd_desc_ops = {
 	.open = eventfd_open,
 };
 
-int collect_eventfd(void)
+static int collect_one_efd(void *obj, ProtobufCMessage *msg)
 {
-	struct eventfd_file_info *info = NULL;
-	int ret, image_fd;
-
-	image_fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_EVENTFD);
-	if (image_fd < 0)
-		return -1;
-
-	while (1) {
-		ret = -1;
+	struct eventfd_file_info *info = obj;
 
-		info = xmalloc(sizeof(*info));
-		if (!info)
-			break;
+	info->efe = pb_msg(msg, EventfdFileEntry);
+	file_desc_add(&info->d, info->efe->id, &eventfd_desc_ops);
+	pr_info_eventfd("Collected ", info->efe);
 
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(image_fd, &info->efe, PB_EVENTFD);
-		if (ret < 0)
-			goto err;
-		else if (!ret)
-			break;
-		pr_info_eventfd("Collected ", info->efe);
-		file_desc_add(&info->d, info->efe->id, &eventfd_desc_ops);
-	}
+	return 0;
+}
 
-err:
-	xfree(info ? info->efe : NULL);
-	xfree(info);
-	close(image_fd);
-	return ret;
+int collect_eventfd(void)
+{
+	return collect_image(CR_FD_EVENTFD, PB_EVENTFD,
+			sizeof(struct eventfd_file_info), collect_one_efd);
 }
diff --git a/eventpoll.c b/eventpoll.c
index 6c16a8a6..b0367f41 100644
--- a/eventpoll.c
+++ b/eventpoll.c
@@ -148,59 +148,39 @@ static struct file_desc_ops desc_ops = {
 	.open = eventpoll_open,
 };
 
-int collect_eventpoll(void)
+static int collect_one_epoll_tfd(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *msg)
 {
-	int image_fd;
-	int ret = -1;
-
-	image_fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_EVENTPOLL_TFD);
-	if (image_fd < 0)
-		return -1;
-
-	while (1) {
-		struct eventpoll_tfd_file_info *info;
+	struct eventpoll_tfd_file_info *info = o;
 
-		info = xmalloc(sizeof(*info));
-		if (!info)
-			goto err;
-
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(image_fd, &info->tdefe, PB_EVENTPOLL_TFD);
-		if (ret < 0)
-			goto err;
-		else if (!ret)
-			break;
-
-		INIT_LIST_HEAD(&info->list);
-
-		list_add(&info->list, &eventpoll_tfds);
-		pr_info_eventpoll_tfd("Collected ", info->tdefe);
-	}
+	info->tdefe = pb_msg(msg, EventpollTfdEntry);
+	list_add(&info->list, &eventpoll_tfds);
+	pr_info_eventpoll_tfd("Collected ", info->tdefe);
 
-	close_safe(&image_fd);
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	image_fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_EVENTPOLL);
-	if (image_fd < 0)
-		return -1;
+static int collect_one_epoll(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *msg)
+{
+	struct eventpoll_file_info *info = o;
 
-	while (1) {
-		struct eventpoll_file_info *info;
+	info->efe = pb_msg(msg, EventpollFileEntry);
+	file_desc_add(&info->d, info->efe->id, &desc_ops);
+	pr_info_eventpoll("Collected ", info->efe);
 
-		ret = -1;
-		info = xmalloc(sizeof(*info));
-		if (!info)
-			goto err;
+	return 0;
+}
 
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(image_fd, &info->efe, PB_EVENTPOLL);
-		if (ret < 0)
-			goto err;
-		else if (!ret)
-			break;
+int collect_eventpoll(void)
+{
+	int ret;
 
-		pr_info_eventpoll("Collected ", info->efe);
-		file_desc_add(&info->d, info->efe->id, &desc_ops);
-	}
+	ret = collect_image(CR_FD_EVENTPOLL_TFD, PB_EVENTPOLL_TFD,
+			sizeof(struct eventpoll_tfd_file_info),
+			collect_one_epoll_tfd);
+	if (!ret)
+		ret = collect_image(CR_FD_EVENTPOLL, PB_EVENTPOLL,
+				sizeof(struct eventpoll_file_info),
+				collect_one_epoll);
 
-err:
-	close_safe(&image_fd);
 	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/fifo.c b/fifo.c
index 00d8f0d1..2de58b9e 100644
--- a/fifo.c
+++ b/fifo.c
@@ -123,44 +123,40 @@ static struct file_desc_ops fifo_desc_ops = {
 	.open		= open_fifo_fd,
 };
 
-int collect_fifo(void)
+static int collect_one_fifo(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *base)
 {
-	struct fifo_info *info = NULL, *f;
-	int img, ret;
+	struct fifo_info *info = o, *f;
 
-	img = open_image_ro(CR_FD_FIFO);
-	if (img < 0)
-		return -1;
+	info->fe = pb_msg(base, FifoEntry);
+	pr_info("Collected fifo entry ID %#x PIPE ID %#x\n",
+			info->fe->id, info->fe->pipe_id);
 
-	while (1) {
-		ret = -1;
-		info = xzalloc(sizeof(*info));
-		if (!info)
-			break;
+	file_desc_add(&info->d, info->fe->id, &fifo_desc_ops);
 
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(img, &info->fe, PB_FIFO);
-		if (ret <= 0)
+	/* check who will restore the fifo data */
+	list_for_each_entry(f, &fifo_head, list)
+		if (f->fe->pipe_id == info->fe->pipe_id)
 			break;
 
-		pr_info("Collected fifo entry ID %#x PIPE ID %#x\n",
-			info->fe->id, info->fe->pipe_id);
-
-		file_desc_add(&info->d, info->fe->id, &fifo_desc_ops);
+	if (&f->list == &fifo_head) {
+		list_add(&info->list, &fifo_head);
+		info->restore_data = true;
+	} else {
+		INIT_LIST_HEAD(&info->list);
+		info->restore_data = false;
+	}
 
-		/* check who will restore the fifo data */
-		list_for_each_entry(f, &fifo_head, list)
-			if (f->fe->pipe_id == info->fe->pipe_id)
-				break;
+	return 0;
+}
 
-		if (&f->list == &fifo_head) {
-			list_add(&info->list, &fifo_head);
-			info->restore_data = true;
-		}
-	}
+int collect_fifo(void)
+{
+	int ret;
 
-	xfree(info ? info->fe : NULL);
-	xfree(info);
-	close(img);
+	ret = collect_image(CR_FD_FIFO, PB_FIFO,
+			sizeof(struct fifo_info), collect_one_fifo);
+	if (!ret)
+		ret = collect_pipe_data(CR_FD_FIFO_DATA, pd_hash_fifo);
 
-	return collect_pipe_data(CR_FD_FIFO_DATA, pd_hash_fifo);
+	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/files-reg.c b/files-reg.c
index 444935cd..49f5c09c 100644
--- a/files-reg.c
+++ b/files-reg.c
@@ -427,44 +427,28 @@ static struct file_desc_ops reg_desc_ops = {
 	.open = open_fe_fd,
 };
 
-int collect_reg_files(void)
+static int collect_one_regfile(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *base)
 {
-	struct reg_file_info *rfi = NULL;
-	int fd, ret = -1;
-
-	fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_REG_FILES);
-	if (fd < 0)
-		return -1;
-
-	while (1) {
-		RegFileEntry *rfe;
-
-		rfi = xmalloc(sizeof(*rfi));
-		ret = -1;
-		if (rfi == NULL)
-			break;
-
-		rfi->path = NULL;
-
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(fd, &rfe, PB_REG_FILES);
-		if (ret <= 0)
-			break;
+	struct reg_file_info *rfi = o;
 
-		rfi->rfe = rfe;
-		rfi->path = rfe->name;
+	rfi->rfe = pb_msg(base, RegFileEntry);
+	rfi->path = rfi->rfe->name;
+	rfi->remap_path = NULL;
 
-		rfi->remap_path = NULL;
+	pr_info("Collected [%s] ID %#x\n", rfi->path, rfi->rfe->id);
+	file_desc_add(&rfi->d, rfi->rfe->id, &reg_desc_ops);
 
-		pr_info("Collected [%s] ID %#x\n", rfi->path, rfi->rfe->id);
-		file_desc_add(&rfi->d, rfi->rfe->id, &reg_desc_ops);
-	}
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	if (rfi) {
-		xfree(rfi->path);
-		xfree(rfi);
-	}
+int collect_reg_files(void)
+{
+	int ret;
 
-	close(fd);
+	ret = collect_image(CR_FD_REG_FILES, PB_REG_FILES,
+			sizeof(struct reg_file_info), collect_one_regfile);
+	if (!ret)
+		ret = collect_remaps();
 
-	return collect_remaps();
+	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/include/protobuf.h b/include/protobuf.h
index 7da1baa5..6120eedd 100644
--- a/include/protobuf.h
+++ b/include/protobuf.h
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ extern int pb_write_one(int fd, void *obj, int type);
 #define pb_repeated_size(__obj, __member)						\
 	(sizeof(*(__obj)->__member) * (__obj)->n_ ##__member)
 
+#define pb_msg(__base, __type)			\
+	container_of(__base, __type, base)
+
 #include <google/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.h>
 
 extern void do_pb_show_plain(int fd, int type, int single_entry,
@@ -87,4 +90,6 @@ extern void do_pb_show_plain(int fd, int type, int single_entry,
 #define pb_show_vertical(__fd, __type)							\
 	do_pb_show_plain(__fd, __type, 1, NULL, 0)
 
+int collect_image(int fd_t, int obj_t, unsigned size,
+		int (*collect)(void *obj, ProtobufCMessage *msg));
 #endif /* PROTOBUF_H__ */
diff --git a/inotify.c b/inotify.c
index b2096f41..c4bae6c0 100644
--- a/inotify.c
+++ b/inotify.c
@@ -210,66 +210,40 @@ static int collect_mark(struct inotify_wd_info *mark)
 		}
 	}
 
+	pr_err("Can't find inotify with id 0x%08x\n", mark->iwe->id);
 	return -1;
 }
 
-int collect_inotify(void)
+static int collect_one_ify(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *msg)
 {
-	struct inotify_file_info *info;
-	struct inotify_wd_info *mark;
-	int image_fd = -1, ret = -1;
-
-	image_fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_INOTIFY);
-	if (image_fd < 0)
-		return -1;
-
-	while (1) {
-		info = xmalloc(sizeof(*info));
-		if (!info)
-			return -1;
-
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(image_fd, &info->ife, PB_INOTIFY);
-		if (ret < 0)
-			goto err;
-		else if (!ret)
-			break;
-
-		INIT_LIST_HEAD(&info->marks);
-		list_add(&info->list, &info_head);
-		file_desc_add(&info->d, info->ife->id, &desc_ops);
-		pr_info("Collected inotify: id 0x%08x flags 0x%08x\n", info->ife->id, info->ife->flags);
-	}
+	struct inotify_file_info *info = o;
 
-	close_safe(&image_fd);
+	info->ife = pb_msg(msg, InotifyFileEntry);
+	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&info->marks);
+	list_add(&info->list, &info_head);
+	file_desc_add(&info->d, info->ife->id, &desc_ops);
+	pr_info("Collected inotify: id 0x%08x flags 0x%08x\n", info->ife->id, info->ife->flags);
 
-	ret = -1;
-
-	image_fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_INOTIFY_WD);
-	if (image_fd < 0)
-		goto err;
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	while (1) {
-		ret = -1;
-		mark = xmalloc(sizeof(*mark));
-		if (!mark)
-			goto err;
+static int collect_one_wd(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *msg)
+{
+	struct inotify_wd_info *mark = o;
 
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(image_fd, &mark->iwe, PB_INOTIFY_WD);
-		if (ret < 0)
-			goto err;
-		else if (!ret)
-			break;
+	mark->iwe = pb_msg(msg, InotifyWdEntry);
+	return collect_mark(mark);
+}
 
-		if (collect_mark(mark)) {
-			ret = -1;
-			pr_err("Can't find inotify with id 0x%08x\n", mark->iwe->id);
-			goto err;
-		}
-	}
+int collect_inotify(void)
+{
+	int ret;
 
-	ret = 0;
-err:
-	close_safe(&image_fd);
+	ret = collect_image(CR_FD_INOTIFY, PB_INOTIFY,
+			sizeof(struct inotify_file_info), collect_one_ify);
+	if (!ret)
+		ret = collect_image(CR_FD_INOTIFY_WD, PB_INOTIFY_WD,
+				sizeof(struct inotify_wd_info), collect_one_wd);
 
 	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/pipes.c b/pipes.c
index 5bdcfee4..dd2f118e 100644
--- a/pipes.c
+++ b/pipes.c
@@ -308,48 +308,42 @@ static struct file_desc_ops pipe_desc_ops = {
 	.want_transport	= want_transport,
 };
 
-int collect_pipes(void)
+static int collect_one_pipe(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *base)
 {
-	struct pipe_info *pi = NULL, *tmp;
-	int fd, ret = -1;
+	struct pipe_info *pi = o, *tmp;
 
-	fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_PIPES);
-	if (fd < 0)
-		return -1;
+	pi->pe = pb_msg(base, PipeEntry);
 
-	while (1) {
-		ret = -1;
-		pi = xmalloc(sizeof(*pi));
-		if (pi == NULL)
-			break;
-
-		pi->create = 0;
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(fd, &pi->pe, PB_PIPES);
-		if (ret <= 0)
-			break;
+	pi->create = 0;
+	pr_info("Collected pipe entry ID %#x PIPE ID %#x\n",
+			pi->pe->id, pi->pe->pipe_id);
 
-		pr_info("Collected pipe entry ID %#x PIPE ID %#x\n",
-					pi->pe->id, pi->pe->pipe_id);
+	file_desc_add(&pi->d, pi->pe->id, &pipe_desc_ops);
 
-		file_desc_add(&pi->d, pi->pe->id, &pipe_desc_ops);
+	list_for_each_entry(tmp, &pipes, list)
+		if (pi->pe->pipe_id == tmp->pe->pipe_id)
+			break;
 
-		list_for_each_entry(tmp, &pipes, list)
-			if (pi->pe->pipe_id == tmp->pe->pipe_id)
-				break;
+	if (&tmp->list == &pipes)
+		INIT_LIST_HEAD(&pi->pipe_list);
+	else
+		list_add(&pi->pipe_list, &tmp->pipe_list);
 
-		if (&tmp->list == &pipes)
-			INIT_LIST_HEAD(&pi->pipe_list);
-		else
-			list_add(&pi->pipe_list, &tmp->pipe_list);
+	list_add_tail(&pi->list, &pipes);
 
-		list_add_tail(&pi->list, &pipes);
-	}
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	xfree(pi);
+int collect_pipes(void)
+{
+	int ret;
 
-	close(fd);
+	ret = collect_image(CR_FD_PIPES, PB_PIPES,
+			sizeof(struct pipe_info), collect_one_pipe);
+	if (!ret)
+		ret = collect_pipe_data(CR_FD_PIPES_DATA, pd_hash_pipes);
 
-	return collect_pipe_data(CR_FD_PIPES_DATA, pd_hash_pipes);
+	return ret;
 }
 
 int dump_one_pipe_data(struct pipe_data_dump *pd, int lfd, const struct fd_parms *p)
diff --git a/protobuf.c b/protobuf.c
index 5708b18e..023f2283 100644
--- a/protobuf.c
+++ b/protobuf.c
@@ -471,3 +471,42 @@ int pb_write_one(int fd, void *obj, int type)
 		xfree(buf);
 	return ret;
 }
+
+int collect_image(int fd_t, int obj_t, unsigned size,
+		int (*collect)(void *obj, ProtobufCMessage *msg))
+{
+	int fd, ret;
+
+	fd = open_image_ro(fd_t);
+	if (fd < 0)
+		return -1;
+
+	while (1) {
+		void *obj;
+		ProtobufCMessage *msg;
+
+		if (size) {
+			ret = -1;
+			obj = xmalloc(size);
+			if (!obj)
+				break;
+		} else
+			obj = NULL;
+
+		ret = pb_read_one_eof(fd, &msg, obj_t);
+		if (ret <= 0) {
+			xfree(obj);
+			break;
+		}
+
+		ret = collect(obj, msg);
+		if (ret < 0) {
+			xfree(obj);
+			cr_pb_descs[obj_t].free(msg, NULL);
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	close(fd);
+	return ret;
+}
diff --git a/signalfd.c b/signalfd.c
index 011da881..e3b4d56b 100644
--- a/signalfd.c
+++ b/signalfd.c
@@ -118,30 +118,18 @@ static struct file_desc_ops signalfd_desc_ops = {
 	.open = signalfd_open,
 };
 
-int collect_signalfd(void)
+static int collect_one_sigfd(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *msg)
 {
-	struct signalfd_info *info = NULL;
-	int ret, image_fd;
-
-	image_fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_SIGNALFD);
-	if (image_fd < 0)
-		return -1;
-
-	while (1) {
-		ret = -1;
-		info = xmalloc(sizeof(*info));
-		if (!info)
-			break;
+	struct signalfd_info *info = o;
 
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(image_fd, &info->sfe, PB_SIGNALFD);
-		if (ret <= 0)
-			break;
+	info->sfe = pb_msg(msg, SignalfdEntry);
+	file_desc_add(&info->d, info->sfe->id, &signalfd_desc_ops);
 
-		file_desc_add(&info->d, info->sfe->id, &signalfd_desc_ops);
-	}
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	xfree(info ? info->sfe : NULL);
-	xfree(info);
-	close(image_fd);
-	return ret;
+int collect_signalfd(void)
+{
+	return collect_image(CR_FD_SIGNALFD, PB_SIGNALFD,
+			sizeof(struct signalfd_info), collect_one_sigfd);
 }
diff --git a/sk-inet.c b/sk-inet.c
index 9a005bf3..8ff9fdfb 100644
--- a/sk-inet.c
+++ b/sk-inet.c
@@ -293,36 +293,22 @@ static struct file_desc_ops inet_desc_ops = {
 	.open = open_inet_sk,
 };
 
-int collect_inet_sockets(void)
+static int collect_one_inetsk(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *base)
 {
-	struct inet_sk_info *ii = NULL;
-	int fd, ret = -1;
-
-	fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_INETSK);
-	if (fd < 0)
-		return -1;
-
-	while (1) {
-		ii = xmalloc(sizeof(*ii));
-		ret = -1;
-		if (!ii)
-			break;
-
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(fd, &ii->ie, PB_INETSK);
-		if (ret <= 0)
-			break;
+	struct inet_sk_info *ii = o;
 
-		file_desc_add(&ii->d, ii->ie->id, &inet_desc_ops);
+	ii->ie = pb_msg(base, InetSkEntry);
+	file_desc_add(&ii->d, ii->ie->id, &inet_desc_ops);
+	if (tcp_connection(ii->ie))
+		tcp_locked_conn_add(ii);
 
-		if (tcp_connection(ii->ie))
-			tcp_locked_conn_add(ii);
-	}
-
-	if (ii)
-		xfree(ii);
+	return 0;
+}
 
-	close(fd);
-	return ret;
+int collect_inet_sockets(void)
+{
+	return collect_image(CR_FD_INETSK, PB_INETSK,
+			sizeof(struct inet_sk_info), collect_one_inetsk);
 }
 
 static int open_inet_sk(struct file_desc *d)
diff --git a/sk-unix.c b/sk-unix.c
index 188dac7f..386f9c21 100644
--- a/sk-unix.c
+++ b/sk-unix.c
@@ -719,62 +719,51 @@ static struct file_desc_ops unix_desc_ops = {
 	.want_transport = unixsk_should_open_transport,
 };
 
-int collect_unix_sockets(void)
+static int collect_one_unixsk(void *o, ProtobufCMessage *base)
 {
-	struct unix_sk_info *ui = NULL;
-	int fd, ret;
+	struct unix_sk_info *ui = o;
 
-	pr_info("Reading unix sockets in\n");
+	ui->ue = pb_msg(base, UnixSkEntry);
 
-	fd = open_image_ro(CR_FD_UNIXSK);
-	if (fd < 0) {
-		if (errno == ENOENT)
-			return 0;
-		else
+	if (ui->ue->name.len) {
+		if (ui->ue->name.len >= UNIX_PATH_MAX) {
+			pr_err("Bad unix name len %d\n", (int)ui->ue->name.len);
 			return -1;
-	}
-
-	while (1) {
-		ret = -1;
-		ui = xmalloc(sizeof(*ui));
-		if (ui == NULL)
-			break;
-
-		ret = pb_read_one_eof(fd, &ui->ue, PB_UNIXSK);
-		if (ret <= 0)
-			break;
+		}
 
-		if (ui->ue->name.len) {
-			ret = -1;
+		ui->name = (void *)ui->ue->name.data;
 
-			if (ui->ue->name.len >= UNIX_PATH_MAX) {
-				pr_err("Bad unix name len %d\n", (int)ui->ue->name.len);
-				break;
-			}
+		/*
+		 * Make FS clean from sockets we're about to
+		 * restore. See for how we bind them for details
+		 */
+		if (ui->name[0] != '\0' &&
+				!(ui->ue->uflags & USK_EXTERN))
+			unlink(ui->name);
+	} else
+		ui->name = NULL;
+
+	ui->peer = NULL;
+	ui->flags = 0;
+	pr_info(" `- Got 0x%x peer 0x%x\n", ui->ue->ino, ui->ue->peer);
+	file_desc_add(&ui->d, ui->ue->id, &unix_desc_ops);
+	list_add_tail(&ui->list, &unix_sockets);
 
-			ui->name = (void *)ui->ue->name.data;
+	return 0;
+}
 
-			/*
-			 * Make FS clean from sockets we're about to
-			 * restore. See for how we bind them for details
-			 */
-			if (ui->name[0] != '\0' &&
-			    !(ui->ue->uflags & USK_EXTERN))
-				unlink(ui->name);
-		} else
-			ui->name = NULL;
+int collect_unix_sockets(void)
+{
+	int ret;
 
-		ui->peer = NULL;
-		ui->flags = 0;
-		pr_info(" `- Got 0x%x peer 0x%x\n", ui->ue->ino, ui->ue->peer);
-		file_desc_add(&ui->d, ui->ue->id, &unix_desc_ops);
-		list_add_tail(&ui->list, &unix_sockets);
-	}
+	pr_info("Reading unix sockets in\n");
 
-	xfree(ui);
-	close(fd);
+	ret = collect_image(CR_FD_UNIXSK, PB_UNIXSK,
+			sizeof(struct unix_sk_info), collect_one_unixsk);
+	if (!ret)
+		ret = read_sk_queues();
 
-	return read_sk_queues();
+	return 0;
 }
 
 int resolve_unix_peers(void)