diff --git a/include/vumodule.h b/include/vumodule.h
index a882a7e..8332fff 100644
--- a/include/vumodule.h
+++ b/include/vumodule.h
@@ -168,19 +168,21 @@ void VU_SYSNAME(name, cleanup) (uint8_t type, void *arg, int arglen, \
 #define SET_EPOCH 1
 #define NEGATIVE_MOUNT ((confirmfun_t)1)
 
+#define VUFLAG_PERMANENT       1
+#define VUFLAG_TRAILINGNUMBERS 2
+
 typedef int (*confirmfun_t)(uint8_t type, void *arg, int arglen,
 		struct vuht_entry_t *ht);
 
 struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_add(uint8_t type, const void *obj, int objlen,
-		struct vu_service_t *service, confirmfun_t confirmfun,
-		void *ht_private_data, int permanent);
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
+		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data);
 
 struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_pathadd(uint8_t type, const char *source,
 		const char *path, const char *fstype,
 		unsigned long mountflags, const char *mountopts,
-		struct vu_service_t *service,
-		unsigned char trailingnumbers,
-		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *ht_private_data);
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
+		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data);
 
 #define BINFMTBUFLEN 128
 #define BINFMTLINELEN 1920
diff --git a/test_modules/netlinkdump.c b/test_modules/netlinkdump.c
index 6719213..ec70d00 100644
--- a/test_modules/netlinkdump.c
+++ b/test_modules/netlinkdump.c
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ void *vu_netlinkdump_init(void) {
 	vu_syscall_handler(s, close) = close;
 #pragma GCC diagnostic pop
 
-	ht = vuht_add(CHECKSOCKET, &family, sizeof(int), s, NULL, NULL, 0);
+	ht = vuht_add(CHECKSOCKET, &family, sizeof(int), s, 0, NULL, NULL);
 	return NULL;
 }
 
diff --git a/test_modules/unrealcap.c b/test_modules/unrealcap.c
index b0169ae..b1e2b82 100644
--- a/test_modules/unrealcap.c
+++ b/test_modules/unrealcap.c
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ void *vu_unrealcap_init(void) {
 	unsigned int i;
 	for (i = 0; i < VUSCLEN; i++) {
 		int vu_syscall = vu_arch_table[vusc[i]];
-		ht[i] = vuht_add(CHECKSC, &vu_syscall, sizeof(int), s, NULL, NULL, 0);
+		ht[i] = vuht_add(CHECKSC, &vu_syscall, sizeof(int), s, 0, NULL, NULL);
 	}
 	mod_inheritance_upcall_register(vu_cap_tracer_upcall);
 	return NULL;
diff --git a/test_modules/unrealprw.c b/test_modules/unrealprw.c
index 0003fe2..08d77f0 100644
--- a/test_modules/unrealprw.c
+++ b/test_modules/unrealprw.c
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
  *
  */
 
-/* this is a test module:
+/* this is a test module: it is a copy of unreal supporting only pread/pwrite.
 	 when loaded the entire file system "appears" as /unreal and /unreal/unreal.
 
 	 $ vu_insmod unreal
diff --git a/test_modules/unrealsock.c b/test_modules/unrealsock.c
index e4da75a..a5d40a7 100644
--- a/test_modules/unrealsock.c
+++ b/test_modules/unrealsock.c
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ void *vu_unrealsock_init(void) {
 #pragma GCC diagnostic pop
 
 	for (i = 0; i < 3; i++)
-		ht[i] = vuht_add(CHECKSOCKET, &afs[i], sizeof(int), s, NULL, NULL, 0);
+		ht[i] = vuht_add(CHECKSOCKET, &afs[i], sizeof(int), s, 0, NULL, NULL);
 	return NULL;
 }
 
diff --git a/test_modules/unrealuidgid.c b/test_modules/unrealuidgid.c
index bbc7f18..0be7a92 100644
--- a/test_modules/unrealuidgid.c
+++ b/test_modules/unrealuidgid.c
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ void *vu_unrealuidgid_init(void) {
 	unsigned int i;
 	for (i = 0; i < VUSCLEN; i++) {
 		int vu_syscall = vu_arch_table[vusc[i]];
-		ht[i] = vuht_add(CHECKSC, &vu_syscall, sizeof(int), s, NULL, NULL, 0);
+		ht[i] = vuht_add(CHECKSC, &vu_syscall, sizeof(int), s, 0, NULL, NULL);
 	}
 	mod_inheritance_upcall_register(vu_uid_gid_tracer_upcall);
 	return NULL;
diff --git a/umvu/include/hashtable.h b/umvu/include/hashtable.h
index b4f093f..42874f9 100644
--- a/umvu/include/hashtable.h
+++ b/umvu/include/hashtable.h
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ struct vu_service_t;
 #define SET_EPOCH 1
 #define NEGATIVE_MOUNT ((confirmfun_t)1)
 
+#define VUFLAG_PERMANENT       1
+#define VUFLAG_TRAILINGNUMBERS 2
+
 /* hashtable elements may have exception. when a confirm function
 	 is defined (as an argument adding the hashtable element) that
 	 confirm function is called prior to confirm each match */
@@ -42,16 +45,15 @@ typedef int (*confirmfun_t)(uint8_t type, void *arg, int arglen,
 /* add an element to the hashtable */
 /* confirmfun is a cleanup function for CHECKMODULE */
 struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_add(uint8_t type, const void *obj, int objlen,
-		struct vu_service_t *service, confirmfun_t confirmfun,
-		void *private_data, int permanent);
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
+		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data);
 
 /* add a path element to the hashtable: This function is similar to vuht_add
  * extra parameters are provided to generate teh mounttab line (see /proc/mounts) */
 struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_pathadd(uint8_t type, const char *source,
 		const char *path, const char *fstype,
 		unsigned long mountflags, const char *mountopts,
-		struct vu_service_t *service,
-		unsigned char trailingnumbers,
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
 		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data);
 
 /* del takes the element out from the data structure.... */
diff --git a/umvu/src/hashtable.c b/umvu/src/hashtable.c
index c473d81..02c64a8 100644
--- a/umvu/src/hashtable.c
+++ b/umvu/src/hashtable.c
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ struct vuht_entry_t {
 	unsigned long mountflags;
 	epoch_t timestamp;
 	uint8_t type;
-	uint8_t trailingnumbers;
+	int vuflags;
 	struct vu_service_t *service;
 	struct vuht_entry_t *service_hte;
 	void *private_data;
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ static struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_internal_search(uint8_t type, void *obj,
 			while (ht != NULL) {
 				if (type == ht->type && sum == ht->hashsum &&
 						memcmp(obj, ht->obj, len) == 0 &&
-						(ht->trailingnumbers || !trailnum(objc)) &&
+						((ht->vuflags & VUFLAG_TRAILINGNUMBERS) || !trailnum(objc)) &&
 						(e = matching_epoch(ht->timestamp)) > 0) {
 					/*carrot add*/
 					if (ht->confirmfun == NEGATIVE_MOUNT)
@@ -329,13 +329,12 @@ static inline int stringobj(uint8_t type) {
 		type == CHECKFSALIAS;
 }
 
+
 	static struct vuht_entry_t *
 internal_vuht_add(uint8_t type, const void *obj, int objlen,
 		unsigned long mountflags, char *mtabline,
-		struct vu_service_t *service, uint8_t trailingnumbers,
-		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data,
-		int permanent)
-{
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
+		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data) {
 	struct vuht_entry_t **hashhead;
 	struct vuht_entry_t *new = vuht_alloc();
 	/* create the entry and fill in the fields */
@@ -350,12 +349,12 @@ internal_vuht_add(uint8_t type, const void *obj, int objlen,
 	new->type = type;
 	new->mountflags = mountflags;
 	new->mtabline = mtabline;
-	new->trailingnumbers = trailingnumbers;
+	new->vuflags = vuflags;
 	new->private_data = private_data;
 	new->service = service;
 	new->service_hte = service->service_ht;
 	new->confirmfun = confirmfun;
-	new->count = (permanent != 0);
+	new->count = !! (vuflags & VUFLAG_PERMANENT);
 	if (service->service_ht)
 		vuht_pick_again(service->service_ht);
 
@@ -390,10 +389,10 @@ internal_vuht_add(uint8_t type, const void *obj, int objlen,
 }
 
 struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_add(uint8_t type, const void *obj, int objlen,
-		struct vu_service_t *service, confirmfun_t confirmfun,
-		void *private_data, int permanent) {
-	return internal_vuht_add(type, obj, objlen, 0, NULL, service, 1,
-			confirmfun, private_data, permanent);
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
+		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data) {
+	return internal_vuht_add(type, obj, objlen, 0, NULL, service, vuflags,
+			confirmfun, private_data);
 }
 
 static int permanent_mount(const char *opts)
@@ -409,8 +408,7 @@ static int permanent_mount(const char *opts)
 struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_pathadd(uint8_t type, const char *source,
 		const char *path, const char *fstype,
 		unsigned long mountflags, const char *mountopts,
-		struct vu_service_t *service,
-		unsigned char trailingnumbers,
+		struct vu_service_t *service, int vuflags,
 		confirmfun_t confirmfun, void *private_data) {
 	char *mtabline;
 	const char *addpath;
@@ -433,9 +431,11 @@ struct vuht_entry_t *vuht_pathadd(uint8_t type, const char *source,
 		addpath = "";
 	else
 		addpath = path;
+	if (permanent_mount(mountopts))
+		vuflags |= VUFLAG_PERMANENT;
 	rv = internal_vuht_add(type, addpath, strlen(addpath), mountflags,
-			mtabline, service, trailingnumbers, confirmfun,
-			private_data, permanent_mount(mountopts));
+			mtabline, service, vuflags,
+			confirmfun, private_data);
 	if (rv == NULL && mtabline != NULL)
 		free(mtabline);
 	return rv;
diff --git a/umvu/src/vu_vwrap_vumgmt.c b/umvu/src/vu_vwrap_vumgmt.c
index 4d9b90a..5ba1591 100644
--- a/umvu/src/vu_vwrap_vumgmt.c
+++ b/umvu/src/vu_vwrap_vumgmt.c
@@ -81,7 +81,8 @@ void vw_insmod(struct vuht_entry_t *ht, struct syscall_descriptor_t *sd) {
 	cleanup = module_getsym(service, "cleanup");
 #pragma GCC diagnostic pop
 	sht = vuht_add(CHECKMODULE, modname, strlen(modname), service,
-			cleanup, NULL, permanent);
+			permanent ? VUFLAG_PERMANENT : 0,
+			cleanup, NULL);
 
 	service->service_ht = sht;
 
diff --git a/vubinfmt/vubinfmt.c b/vubinfmt/vubinfmt.c
index 122c5ea..fcd0d05 100644
--- a/vubinfmt/vubinfmt.c
+++ b/vubinfmt/vubinfmt.c
@@ -430,10 +430,10 @@ int vu_vubinfmt_mount(const char *source, const char *target,
 	switch(strcase(source)) {
 		case STRCASE(n,o,n,e):
 		case STRCASE(slash):
-			new->binfmt_ht = vuht_add(CHECKBINFMT, NULL, 0, s, vubinfmt_confirm, new, 0);
+			new->binfmt_ht = vuht_add(CHECKBINFMT, NULL, 0, s, 0, vubinfmt_confirm, new);
 			break;
 		default:
-			new->binfmt_ht = vuht_add(CHECKBINFMT, source, strlen(source), s, vubinfmt_confirm, new, 0);
+			new->binfmt_ht = vuht_add(CHECKBINFMT, source, strlen(source), s, 0, vubinfmt_confirm, new);
 			break;
 	}
 	new->path_ht = vuht_pathadd(CHECKPATH, source, target, filesystemtype, mountflags, data, s, 0, NULL, new);
diff --git a/vudev/vudev.c b/vudev/vudev.c
index 209fcc6..0ea214e 100644
--- a/vudev/vudev.c
+++ b/vudev/vudev.c
@@ -436,12 +436,12 @@ int vu_vudev_mount(const char *source, const char *target,
 				goto err_init_null;
 		}
 		new->path_ht = vuht_pathadd(CHECKPATH, source, target, filesystemtype, mountflags,
-				data, s, 1, vudev_confirm_path, new);
+				data, s, VUFLAG_TRAILINGNUMBERS, vudev_confirm_path, new);
 		if (new->flags & VUDEVFLAGS_DEVID) {
 			if(S_ISCHR(new->stat.st_mode))
-				new->dev_ht = vuht_add(CHECKCHRDEVICE, NULL, 0, s, vudev_confirm_dev, new, 0);
+				new->dev_ht = vuht_add(CHECKCHRDEVICE, NULL, 0, s, 0, vudev_confirm_dev, new);
 			else if(S_ISBLK(new->stat.st_mode))
-				new->dev_ht = vuht_add(CHECKBLKDEVICE, NULL, 0, s, vudev_confirm_dev, new, 0);
+				new->dev_ht = vuht_add(CHECKBLKDEVICE, NULL, 0, s, 0, vudev_confirm_dev, new);
 		} else
 			new->dev_ht = NULL;
 		pthread_mutex_unlock(&(new->mutex));
diff --git a/vumisc/vumisc.c b/vumisc/vumisc.c
index 16e92ca..695f4c2 100644
--- a/vumisc/vumisc.c
+++ b/vumisc/vumisc.c
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ int vu_vumisc_mount(const char *source, const char *target,
 		pthread_mutex_lock(&(new->mutex));
 		new->path_ht = vuht_pathadd(CHECKPATH,
 				source, target, filesystemtype, mountflags, data, s, 0, NULL, new);
-		new->ops_ht = vuht_add(CHECKSC, NULL, 0, s, vumisc_confirm, new, 0);
+		new->ops_ht = vuht_add(CHECKSC, NULL, 0, s, 0, vumisc_confirm, new);
 		pthread_mutex_unlock(&(new->mutex));
 		return errno = 0, 0;
 err_init_null:
diff --git a/vunet/vunet.c b/vunet/vunet.c
index 4cf8656..71e7eae 100644
--- a/vunet/vunet.c
+++ b/vunet/vunet.c
@@ -425,10 +425,10 @@ int vu_vunet_mount(const char *source, const char *target,
 				retvalue = -1;
 			} else {
 				if (vunet->netops->supported_ioctl)
-					vunet->ioctl_ht = vuht_add(CHECKIOCTL, NULL, 0, s, checkioctl, vunet, 0);
+					vunet->ioctl_ht = vuht_add(CHECKIOCTL, NULL, 0, s, 0, checkioctl, vunet);
 				else
 					vunet->ioctl_ht = NULL;
-				vunet->socket_ht = vuht_add(CHECKSOCKET, NULL, 0, s, checksocket, vunet, 0);
+				vunet->socket_ht = vuht_add(CHECKSOCKET, NULL, 0, s, 0, checksocket, vunet);
 				vunet->path_ht = vuht_pathadd(CHECKPATH, source, target, filesystemtype, mountflags, data, s, 0, NULL, vunet);
 				printkdebug(N, "mount \'%s\' \'%s\' %s -> %p", source, target, filesystemtype, vunet);
 			}