Merge remote-tracking branch 'upstream/master' into client_channel_init_cleanup
diff --git a/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h b/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
index da1bd9d..c86f7ec 100644
--- a/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
+++ b/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
@@ -213,6 +213,8 @@
 #define GRPC_ARG_SERVICE_CONFIG "grpc.service_config"
 /** LB policy name. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_LB_POLICY_NAME "grpc.lb_policy_name"
+/** Server URI. Not intended for external use. */
+#define GRPC_ARG_SERVER_URI "grpc.server_uri"
 /** Server name. Not intended for external use. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_SERVER_NAME "grpc.server_name"
 /** Resolved addresses in a form used by the LB policy.
@@ -220,6 +222,8 @@
 #define GRPC_ARG_LB_ADDRESSES "grpc.lb_addresses"
 /** The grpc_socket_mutator instance that set the socket options. A pointer. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_SOCKET_MUTATOR "grpc.socket_mutator"
+/** Client channel factory.  Not intended for external use. */
+#define GRPC_ARG_CLIENT_CHANNEL_FACTORY "grpc.client_channel_factory"
 /** \} */
 
 /** Result of a grpc call. If the caller satisfies the prerequisites of a
diff --git a/src/core/ext/census/grpc_filter.c b/src/core/ext/census/grpc_filter.c
index 397dbc4..3e8acc8 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/census/grpc_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/census/grpc_filter.c
@@ -167,11 +167,12 @@
   /* TODO(hongyu): record rpc server stats and census_tracing_end_op here */
 }
 
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   GPR_ASSERT(chand != NULL);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c b/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c
index 1fcff43..98892a4 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.c
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 #include <grpc/support/useful.h>
 
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/lb_policy_registry.h"
+#include "src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h"
@@ -499,24 +500,37 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void cc_init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                 grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                                 grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *cc_init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                        grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                        grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-
   memset(chand, 0, sizeof(*chand));
-
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_last);
   GPR_ASSERT(elem->filter == &grpc_client_channel_filter);
-
+  // Initialize data members.
   gpr_mu_init(&chand->mu);
+  chand->owning_stack = args->channel_stack;
   grpc_closure_init(&chand->on_resolver_result_changed,
                     on_resolver_result_changed, chand);
-  chand->owning_stack = args->channel_stack;
-
+  chand->interested_parties = grpc_pollset_set_create();
   grpc_connectivity_state_init(&chand->state_tracker, GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE,
                                "client_channel");
-  chand->interested_parties = grpc_pollset_set_create();
+  // Record client channel factory.
+  const grpc_arg *arg = grpc_channel_args_find(args->channel_args,
+                                               GRPC_ARG_CLIENT_CHANNEL_FACTORY);
+  GPR_ASSERT(arg != NULL);
+  GPR_ASSERT(arg->type == GRPC_ARG_POINTER);
+  grpc_client_channel_factory_ref(arg->value.pointer.p);
+  chand->client_channel_factory = arg->value.pointer.p;
+  // Instantiate resolver.
+  arg = grpc_channel_args_find(args->channel_args, GRPC_ARG_SERVER_URI);
+  GPR_ASSERT(arg != NULL);
+  GPR_ASSERT(arg->type == GRPC_ARG_STRING);
+  chand->resolver = grpc_resolver_create(arg->value.string, args->channel_args);
+  if (chand->resolver == NULL) {
+    return GRPC_ERROR_CREATE("resolver creation failed");
+  }
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel_data */
@@ -1130,30 +1144,6 @@
     "client-channel",
 };
 
-void grpc_client_channel_finish_initialization(
-    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack,
-    grpc_resolver *resolver,
-    grpc_client_channel_factory *client_channel_factory) {
-  /* post construction initialization: set the transport setup pointer */
-  GPR_ASSERT(client_channel_factory != NULL);
-  grpc_channel_element *elem = grpc_channel_stack_last_element(channel_stack);
-  channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
-  gpr_mu_lock(&chand->mu);
-  GPR_ASSERT(!chand->resolver);
-  chand->resolver = resolver;
-  GRPC_RESOLVER_REF(resolver, "channel");
-  if (!grpc_closure_list_empty(chand->waiting_for_config_closures) ||
-      chand->exit_idle_when_lb_policy_arrives) {
-    chand->started_resolving = true;
-    GRPC_CHANNEL_STACK_REF(chand->owning_stack, "resolver");
-    grpc_resolver_next(exec_ctx, resolver, &chand->resolver_result,
-                       &chand->on_resolver_result_changed);
-  }
-  chand->client_channel_factory = client_channel_factory;
-  grpc_client_channel_factory_ref(client_channel_factory);
-  gpr_mu_unlock(&chand->mu);
-}
-
 grpc_connectivity_state grpc_client_channel_check_connectivity_state(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_element *elem, int try_to_connect) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.h b/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.h
index ab5a84f..9ba0128 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.h
@@ -47,13 +47,6 @@
 
 extern const grpc_channel_filter grpc_client_channel_filter;
 
-/* Post-construction initializer to give the client channel its resolver
-   and factory. */
-void grpc_client_channel_finish_initialization(
-    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack,
-    grpc_resolver *resolver,
-    grpc_client_channel_factory *client_channel_factory);
-
 grpc_connectivity_state grpc_client_channel_check_connectivity_state(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_element *elem, int try_to_connect);
 
diff --git a/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c b/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c
index 0863207..f294e69 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/client_channel/subchannel.c
@@ -604,14 +604,20 @@
   grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_transport(builder,
                                            c->connecting_result.transport);
 
-  if (grpc_channel_init_create_stack(exec_ctx, builder,
-                                     GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL)) {
-    con = grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(exec_ctx, builder, 0, 1,
-                                            connection_destroy, NULL);
-  } else {
+  if (!grpc_channel_init_create_stack(exec_ctx, builder,
+                                      GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL)) {
     grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(builder);
     abort(); /* TODO(ctiller): what to do here (previously we just crashed) */
   }
+  grpc_error *error = grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(
+      exec_ctx, builder, 0, 1, connection_destroy, NULL, (void **)&con);
+  if (error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+    const char *msg = grpc_error_string(error);
+    gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "error initializing subchannel stack: %s", msg);
+    grpc_error_free_string(msg);
+    GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
+    abort(); /* TODO(ctiller): what to do here? */
+  }
   stk = CHANNEL_STACK_FROM_CONNECTION(con);
   memset(&c->connecting_result, 0, sizeof(c->connecting_result));
 
diff --git a/src/core/ext/load_reporting/load_reporting_filter.c b/src/core/ext/load_reporting/load_reporting_filter.c
index b810e20..18bb826 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/load_reporting/load_reporting_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/load_reporting/load_reporting_filter.c
@@ -152,9 +152,9 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
 
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
@@ -171,6 +171,8 @@
                                                 NULL,
                                                 NULL};
                                                 */
+
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel data */
diff --git a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/insecure/channel_create.c b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/insecure/channel_create.c
index 29f3759..7325f94 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/insecure/channel_create.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/insecure/channel_create.c
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.h"
-#include "src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/chttp2_connector.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/api_trace.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/channel.h"
 
@@ -65,18 +65,7 @@
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_client_channel_factory *cc_factory,
     const char *target, grpc_client_channel_type type,
     const grpc_channel_args *args) {
-  grpc_channel *channel =
-      grpc_channel_create(exec_ctx, target, args, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, NULL);
-  grpc_resolver *resolver = grpc_resolver_create(target, args);
-  if (resolver == NULL) {
-    GRPC_CHANNEL_INTERNAL_UNREF(exec_ctx, channel,
-                                "client_channel_factory_create_channel");
-    return NULL;
-  }
-  grpc_client_channel_finish_initialization(
-      exec_ctx, grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(channel), resolver, cc_factory);
-  GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, resolver, "create_channel");
-  return channel;
+  return grpc_channel_create(exec_ctx, target, args, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, NULL);
 }
 
 static const grpc_client_channel_factory_vtable client_channel_factory_vtable =
@@ -87,6 +76,19 @@
 static grpc_client_channel_factory client_channel_factory = {
     &client_channel_factory_vtable};
 
+static void *cc_factory_arg_copy(void *cc_factory) { return cc_factory; }
+
+static void cc_factory_arg_destroy(void *cc_factory) {}
+
+static int cc_factory_arg_cmp(void *cc_factory1, void *cc_factory2) {
+  if (cc_factory1 < cc_factory2) return -1;
+  if (cc_factory1 > cc_factory2) return 1;
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static const grpc_arg_pointer_vtable cc_factory_arg_vtable = {
+    cc_factory_arg_copy, cc_factory_arg_destroy, cc_factory_arg_cmp};
+
 /* Create a client channel:
    Asynchronously: - resolve target
                    - connect to it (trying alternatives as presented)
@@ -101,8 +103,22 @@
   GPR_ASSERT(reserved == NULL);
   grpc_client_channel_factory *factory =
       (grpc_client_channel_factory *)&client_channel_factory;
+  // Add channel args containing the server name and client channel factory.
+  grpc_arg new_args[2];
+  new_args[0].type = GRPC_ARG_STRING;
+  new_args[0].key = GRPC_ARG_SERVER_URI;
+  new_args[0].value.string = (char *)target;
+  new_args[1].type = GRPC_ARG_POINTER;
+  new_args[1].key = GRPC_ARG_CLIENT_CHANNEL_FACTORY;
+  new_args[1].value.pointer.p = factory;
+  new_args[1].value.pointer.vtable = &cc_factory_arg_vtable;
+  grpc_channel_args *args_copy =
+      grpc_channel_args_copy_and_add(args, new_args, GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(new_args));
+  // Create channel.
   grpc_channel *channel = client_channel_factory_create_channel(
-      &exec_ctx, factory, target, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL_TYPE_REGULAR, args);
+      &exec_ctx, factory, target, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL_TYPE_REGULAR, args_copy);
+  // Clean up.
+  grpc_channel_args_destroy(args_copy);
   grpc_client_channel_factory_unref(&exec_ctx, factory);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   return channel != NULL ? channel : grpc_lame_client_channel_create(
diff --git a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/secure/secure_channel_create.c b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/secure/secure_channel_create.c
index 35e1e1f..63f2488 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/secure/secure_channel_create.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/secure/secure_channel_create.c
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/client_channel.h"
-#include "src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h"
 #include "src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/client/chttp2_connector.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_args.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/security/credentials/credentials.h"
@@ -91,19 +90,7 @@
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_client_channel_factory *cc_factory,
     const char *target, grpc_client_channel_type type,
     const grpc_channel_args *args) {
-  client_channel_factory *f = (client_channel_factory *)cc_factory;
-  grpc_channel *channel =
-      grpc_channel_create(exec_ctx, target, args, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, NULL);
-  grpc_resolver *resolver = grpc_resolver_create(target, args);
-  if (resolver == NULL) {
-    GRPC_CHANNEL_INTERNAL_UNREF(exec_ctx, channel,
-                                "client_channel_factory_create_channel");
-    return NULL;
-  }
-  grpc_client_channel_finish_initialization(
-      exec_ctx, grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(channel), resolver, &f->base);
-  GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(exec_ctx, resolver, "create_channel");
-  return channel;
+  return grpc_channel_create(exec_ctx, target, args, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, NULL);
 }
 
 static const grpc_client_channel_factory_vtable client_channel_factory_vtable =
@@ -111,6 +98,28 @@
      client_channel_factory_create_subchannel,
      client_channel_factory_create_channel};
 
+static void *cc_factory_arg_copy(void *cc_factory) {
+  client_channel_factory_ref(cc_factory);
+  return cc_factory;
+}
+
+static void cc_factory_arg_destroy(void *cc_factory) {
+  // TODO(roth): remove local exec_ctx when
+  // https://github.com/grpc/grpc/pull/8705 is merged
+  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
+  client_channel_factory_unref(&exec_ctx, cc_factory);
+  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
+}
+
+static int cc_factory_arg_cmp(void *cc_factory1, void *cc_factory2) {
+  if (cc_factory1 < cc_factory2) return -1;
+  if (cc_factory1 > cc_factory2) return 1;
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static const grpc_arg_pointer_vtable cc_factory_arg_vtable = {
+    cc_factory_arg_copy, cc_factory_arg_destroy, cc_factory_arg_cmp};
+
 /* Create a secure client channel:
    Asynchronously: - resolve target
                    - connect to it (trying alternatives as presented)
@@ -143,14 +152,6 @@
     return grpc_lame_client_channel_create(
         target, GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL, "Failed to create security connector.");
   }
-  grpc_arg connector_arg =
-      grpc_security_connector_to_arg(&security_connector->base);
-  grpc_channel_args *new_args = grpc_channel_args_copy_and_add(
-      new_args_from_connector != NULL ? new_args_from_connector : args,
-      &connector_arg, 1);
-  if (new_args_from_connector != NULL) {
-    grpc_channel_args_destroy(new_args_from_connector);
-  }
   // Create client channel factory.
   client_channel_factory *f = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*f));
   memset(f, 0, sizeof(*f));
@@ -159,13 +160,30 @@
   GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_REF(&security_connector->base,
                               "grpc_secure_channel_create");
   f->security_connector = security_connector;
+  // Add channel args containing the server name, client channel
+  // factory, and security connector.
+  grpc_arg new_args[3];
+  new_args[0].type = GRPC_ARG_STRING;
+  new_args[0].key = GRPC_ARG_SERVER_URI;
+  new_args[0].value.string = (char *)target;
+  new_args[1].type = GRPC_ARG_POINTER;
+  new_args[1].key = GRPC_ARG_CLIENT_CHANNEL_FACTORY;
+  new_args[1].value.pointer.p = f;
+  new_args[1].value.pointer.vtable = &cc_factory_arg_vtable;
+  new_args[2] = grpc_security_connector_to_arg(&security_connector->base);
+  grpc_channel_args *args_copy = grpc_channel_args_copy_and_add(
+      new_args_from_connector != NULL ? new_args_from_connector : args,
+      new_args, GPR_ARRAY_SIZE(new_args));
+  if (new_args_from_connector != NULL) {
+    grpc_channel_args_destroy(new_args_from_connector);
+  }
   // Create channel.
   grpc_channel *channel = client_channel_factory_create_channel(
-      &exec_ctx, &f->base, target, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL_TYPE_REGULAR, new_args);
+      &exec_ctx, &f->base, target, GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL_TYPE_REGULAR, args_copy);
   // Clean up.
   GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_UNREF(&f->security_connector->base,
                                 "secure_client_channel_factory_create_channel");
-  grpc_channel_args_destroy(new_args);
+  grpc_channel_args_destroy(args_copy);
   grpc_client_channel_factory_unref(&exec_ctx, &f->base);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
   return channel; /* may be NULL */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.c b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.c
index 999ad5f..1d0b7d4 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.c
@@ -102,13 +102,11 @@
   return CALL_ELEMS_FROM_STACK(call_stack) + index;
 }
 
-void grpc_channel_stack_init(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, int initial_refs,
-                             grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy, void *destroy_arg,
-                             const grpc_channel_filter **filters,
-                             size_t filter_count,
-                             const grpc_channel_args *channel_args,
-                             grpc_transport *optional_transport,
-                             const char *name, grpc_channel_stack *stack) {
+grpc_error *grpc_channel_stack_init(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, int initial_refs, grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+    void *destroy_arg, const grpc_channel_filter **filters, size_t filter_count,
+    const grpc_channel_args *channel_args, grpc_transport *optional_transport,
+    const char *name, grpc_channel_stack *stack) {
   size_t call_size =
       ROUND_UP_TO_ALIGNMENT_SIZE(sizeof(grpc_call_stack)) +
       ROUND_UP_TO_ALIGNMENT_SIZE(filter_count * sizeof(grpc_call_element));
@@ -126,6 +124,7 @@
       ROUND_UP_TO_ALIGNMENT_SIZE(filter_count * sizeof(grpc_channel_element));
 
   /* init per-filter data */
+  grpc_error *first_error = GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
   for (i = 0; i < filter_count; i++) {
     args.channel_stack = stack;
     args.channel_args = channel_args;
@@ -134,7 +133,15 @@
     args.is_last = i == (filter_count - 1);
     elems[i].filter = filters[i];
     elems[i].channel_data = user_data;
-    elems[i].filter->init_channel_elem(exec_ctx, &elems[i], &args);
+    grpc_error *error =
+        elems[i].filter->init_channel_elem(exec_ctx, &elems[i], &args);
+    if (error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+      if (first_error == GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+        first_error = error;
+      } else {
+        GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
+      }
+    }
     user_data += ROUND_UP_TO_ALIGNMENT_SIZE(filters[i]->sizeof_channel_data);
     call_size += ROUND_UP_TO_ALIGNMENT_SIZE(filters[i]->sizeof_call_data);
   }
@@ -144,6 +151,7 @@
              grpc_channel_stack_size(filters, filter_count));
 
   stack->call_stack_size = call_size;
+  return first_error;
 }
 
 void grpc_channel_stack_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
index 004643d..5d064c5 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
@@ -146,8 +146,9 @@
      is_first, is_last designate this elements position in the stack, and are
      useful for asserting correct configuration by upper layer code.
      The filter does not need to do any chaining */
-  void (*init_channel_elem)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                            grpc_channel_element_args *args);
+  grpc_error *(*init_channel_elem)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                   grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                   grpc_channel_element_args *args);
   /* Destroy per channel data.
      The filter does not need to do any chaining */
   void (*destroy_channel_elem)(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
@@ -214,12 +215,11 @@
 size_t grpc_channel_stack_size(const grpc_channel_filter **filters,
                                size_t filter_count);
 /* Initialize a channel stack given some filters */
-void grpc_channel_stack_init(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, int initial_refs,
-                             grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy, void *destroy_arg,
-                             const grpc_channel_filter **filters,
-                             size_t filter_count, const grpc_channel_args *args,
-                             grpc_transport *optional_transport,
-                             const char *name, grpc_channel_stack *stack);
+grpc_error *grpc_channel_stack_init(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, int initial_refs, grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+    void *destroy_arg, const grpc_channel_filter **filters, size_t filter_count,
+    const grpc_channel_args *args, grpc_transport *optional_transport,
+    const char *name, grpc_channel_stack *stack);
 /* Destroy a channel stack */
 void grpc_channel_stack_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                 grpc_channel_stack *stack);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.c b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.c
index eda4968..b959517 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.c
@@ -227,11 +227,10 @@
   gpr_free(builder);
 }
 
-void *grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                        grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
-                                        size_t prefix_bytes, int initial_refs,
-                                        grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
-                                        void *destroy_arg) {
+grpc_error *grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+    size_t prefix_bytes, int initial_refs, grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+    void *destroy_arg, void **result) {
   // count the number of filters
   size_t num_filters = 0;
   for (filter_node *p = builder->begin.next; p != &builder->end; p = p->next) {
@@ -250,28 +249,35 @@
   size_t channel_stack_size = grpc_channel_stack_size(filters, num_filters);
 
   // allocate memory, with prefix_bytes followed by channel_stack_size
-  char *result = gpr_malloc(prefix_bytes + channel_stack_size);
+  *result = gpr_malloc(prefix_bytes + channel_stack_size);
   // fetch a pointer to the channel stack
   grpc_channel_stack *channel_stack =
-      (grpc_channel_stack *)(result + prefix_bytes);
+      (grpc_channel_stack *)((char *)(*result) + prefix_bytes);
   // and initialize it
-  grpc_channel_stack_init(exec_ctx, initial_refs, destroy,
-                          destroy_arg == NULL ? result : destroy_arg, filters,
-                          num_filters, builder->args, builder->transport,
-                          builder->name, channel_stack);
+  grpc_error *error = grpc_channel_stack_init(
+      exec_ctx, initial_refs, destroy,
+      destroy_arg == NULL ? *result : destroy_arg, filters, num_filters,
+      builder->args, builder->transport, builder->name, channel_stack);
 
-  // run post-initialization functions
-  i = 0;
-  for (filter_node *p = builder->begin.next; p != &builder->end; p = p->next) {
-    if (p->init != NULL) {
-      p->init(channel_stack, grpc_channel_stack_element(channel_stack, i),
-              p->init_arg);
+  if (error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+    grpc_channel_stack_destroy(exec_ctx, channel_stack);
+    gpr_free(*result);
+    *result = NULL;
+  } else {
+    // run post-initialization functions
+    i = 0;
+    for (filter_node *p = builder->begin.next; p != &builder->end;
+         p = p->next) {
+      if (p->init != NULL) {
+        p->init(channel_stack, grpc_channel_stack_element(channel_stack, i),
+                p->init_arg);
+      }
+      i++;
     }
-    i++;
   }
 
   grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(builder);
   gpr_free((grpc_channel_filter **)filters);
 
-  return result;
+  return error;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h
index 4a00f7b..65bfebc 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack_builder.h
@@ -146,16 +146,15 @@
 void grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator_destroy(
     grpc_channel_stack_builder_iterator *iterator);
 
-/// Destroy the builder, return the freshly minted channel stack
+/// Destroy the builder, return the freshly minted channel stack in \a result.
 /// Allocates \a prefix_bytes bytes before the channel stack
 /// Returns the base pointer of the allocated block
 /// \a initial_refs, \a destroy, \a destroy_arg are as per
 /// grpc_channel_stack_init
-void *grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                        grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
-                                        size_t prefix_bytes, int initial_refs,
-                                        grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
-                                        void *destroy_arg);
+grpc_error *grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(
+    grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder,
+    size_t prefix_bytes, int initial_refs, grpc_iomgr_cb_func destroy,
+    void *destroy_arg, void **result);
 
 /// Destroy the builder without creating a channel stack
 void grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/compress_filter.c b/src/core/lib/channel/compress_filter.c
index 2874d63..0e336dc 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/compress_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/compress_filter.c
@@ -285,9 +285,9 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *channeld = elem->channel_data;
 
   channeld->enabled_algorithms_bitset =
@@ -315,6 +315,7 @@
   }
 
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel data */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.c b/src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.c
index 038e819..c2a36b5 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.c
@@ -114,12 +114,13 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *cd = (channel_data *)elem->channel_data;
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_last);
   cd->transport = NULL;
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel_data */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/deadline_filter.c b/src/core/lib/channel/deadline_filter.c
index 0e703d8..470ccfe 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/deadline_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/deadline_filter.c
@@ -207,10 +207,11 @@
 //
 
 // Constructor for channel_data.  Used for both client and server filters.
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element* elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args* args) {
+static grpc_error* init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element* elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args* args) {
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 // Destructor for channel_data.  Used for both client and server filters.
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c b/src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
index fd8b46a..1a2d08d 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
@@ -457,9 +457,9 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
   GPR_ASSERT(args->optional_transport != NULL);
@@ -470,6 +470,7 @@
       GRPC_MDSTR_USER_AGENT,
       user_agent_from_args(args->channel_args,
                            args->optional_transport->vtable->name));
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel data */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c b/src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
index b42ff06..a5134ee 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
@@ -350,10 +350,11 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel data */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c b/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
index 1cf68d7..f05c789 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
@@ -192,9 +192,9 @@
                               void* ignored) {}
 
 // Constructor for channel_data.
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element* elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args* args) {
+static grpc_error* init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element* elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args* args) {
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
   channel_data* chand = elem->channel_data;
   memset(chand, 0, sizeof(*chand));
@@ -231,6 +231,7 @@
       grpc_service_config_destroy(service_config);
     }
   }
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 // Destructor for channel_data.
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/transport/client_auth_filter.c b/src/core/lib/security/transport/client_auth_filter.c
index 053bf59..da89729 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/transport/client_auth_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/transport/client_auth_filter.c
@@ -303,9 +303,9 @@
 }
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   grpc_security_connector *sc =
       grpc_find_security_connector_in_args(args->channel_args);
   grpc_auth_context *auth_context =
@@ -327,6 +327,7 @@
           sc, "client_auth_filter");
   chand->auth_context =
       GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_REF(auth_context, "client_auth_filter");
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel data */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/transport/server_auth_filter.c b/src/core/lib/security/transport/server_auth_filter.c
index eaa1d07..e6a242e 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/transport/server_auth_filter.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/transport/server_auth_filter.c
@@ -238,9 +238,9 @@
                               void *ignored) {}
 
 /* Constructor for channel_data */
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   grpc_auth_context *auth_context =
       grpc_find_auth_context_in_args(args->channel_args);
   grpc_server_credentials *creds =
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@
   chand->auth_context =
       GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_REF(auth_context, "server_auth_filter");
   chand->creds = grpc_server_credentials_ref(creds);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 /* Destructor for channel data */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
index 1389df6..9405015 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
@@ -86,87 +86,90 @@
                                   const grpc_channel_args *input_args,
                                   grpc_channel_stack_type channel_stack_type,
                                   grpc_transport *optional_transport) {
-  bool is_client = grpc_channel_stack_type_is_client(channel_stack_type);
-
   grpc_channel_stack_builder *builder = grpc_channel_stack_builder_create();
   grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_channel_arguments(builder, input_args);
   grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_target(builder, target);
   grpc_channel_stack_builder_set_transport(builder, optional_transport);
-  grpc_channel *channel;
-  grpc_channel_args *args;
   if (!grpc_channel_init_create_stack(exec_ctx, builder, channel_stack_type)) {
     grpc_channel_stack_builder_destroy(builder);
     return NULL;
-  } else {
-    args = grpc_channel_args_copy(
-        grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(builder));
-    channel = grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(
-        exec_ctx, builder, sizeof(grpc_channel), 1, destroy_channel, NULL);
+  }
+  grpc_channel_args *args = grpc_channel_args_copy(
+      grpc_channel_stack_builder_get_channel_arguments(builder));
+  grpc_channel *channel;
+  grpc_error *error = grpc_channel_stack_builder_finish(
+      exec_ctx, builder, sizeof(grpc_channel), 1, destroy_channel, NULL,
+      (void **)&channel);
+  if (error != GRPC_ERROR_NONE) {
+    const char *msg = grpc_error_string(error);
+    gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "channel stack builder failed: %s", msg);
+    grpc_error_free_string(msg);
+    GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
+    goto done;
   }
 
   memset(channel, 0, sizeof(*channel));
   channel->target = gpr_strdup(target);
-  channel->is_client = is_client;
+  channel->is_client = grpc_channel_stack_type_is_client(channel_stack_type);
   gpr_mu_init(&channel->registered_call_mu);
   channel->registered_calls = NULL;
 
   grpc_compression_options_init(&channel->compression_options);
-  if (args) {
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
-      if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY)) {
-        if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_STRING) {
-          gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be a string",
-                  GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY);
+
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
+    if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY)) {
+      if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_STRING) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be a string",
+                GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY);
+      } else {
+        if (channel->default_authority) {
+          /* setting this takes precedence over anything else */
+          GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(channel->default_authority);
+        }
+        channel->default_authority =
+            grpc_mdelem_from_strings(":authority", args->args[i].value.string);
+      }
+    } else if (0 ==
+               strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_SSL_TARGET_NAME_OVERRIDE_ARG)) {
+      if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_STRING) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be a string",
+                GRPC_SSL_TARGET_NAME_OVERRIDE_ARG);
+      } else {
+        if (channel->default_authority) {
+          /* other ways of setting this (notably ssl) take precedence */
+          gpr_log(GPR_ERROR,
+                  "%s ignored: default host already set some other way",
+                  GRPC_SSL_TARGET_NAME_OVERRIDE_ARG);
         } else {
-          if (channel->default_authority) {
-            /* setting this takes precedence over anything else */
-            GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(channel->default_authority);
-          }
           channel->default_authority = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(
               ":authority", args->args[i].value.string);
         }
-      } else if (0 ==
-                 strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_SSL_TARGET_NAME_OVERRIDE_ARG)) {
-        if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_STRING) {
-          gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be a string",
-                  GRPC_SSL_TARGET_NAME_OVERRIDE_ARG);
-        } else {
-          if (channel->default_authority) {
-            /* other ways of setting this (notably ssl) take precedence */
-            gpr_log(GPR_ERROR,
-                    "%s ignored: default host already set some other way",
-                    GRPC_SSL_TARGET_NAME_OVERRIDE_ARG);
-          } else {
-            channel->default_authority = grpc_mdelem_from_strings(
-                ":authority", args->args[i].value.string);
-          }
-        }
-      } else if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key,
-                             GRPC_COMPRESSION_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_LEVEL)) {
-        channel->compression_options.default_level.is_set = true;
-        GPR_ASSERT(args->args[i].value.integer >= 0 &&
-                   args->args[i].value.integer < GRPC_COMPRESS_LEVEL_COUNT);
-        channel->compression_options.default_level.level =
-            (grpc_compression_level)args->args[i].value.integer;
-      } else if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key,
-                             GRPC_COMPRESSION_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_ALGORITHM)) {
-        channel->compression_options.default_algorithm.is_set = true;
-        GPR_ASSERT(args->args[i].value.integer >= 0 &&
-                   args->args[i].value.integer <
-                       GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT);
-        channel->compression_options.default_algorithm.algorithm =
-            (grpc_compression_algorithm)args->args[i].value.integer;
-      } else if (0 ==
-                 strcmp(args->args[i].key,
-                        GRPC_COMPRESSION_CHANNEL_ENABLED_ALGORITHMS_BITSET)) {
-        channel->compression_options.enabled_algorithms_bitset =
-            (uint32_t)args->args[i].value.integer |
-            0x1; /* always support no compression */
       }
+    } else if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key,
+                           GRPC_COMPRESSION_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_LEVEL)) {
+      channel->compression_options.default_level.is_set = true;
+      GPR_ASSERT(args->args[i].value.integer >= 0 &&
+                 args->args[i].value.integer < GRPC_COMPRESS_LEVEL_COUNT);
+      channel->compression_options.default_level.level =
+          (grpc_compression_level)args->args[i].value.integer;
+    } else if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key,
+                           GRPC_COMPRESSION_CHANNEL_DEFAULT_ALGORITHM)) {
+      channel->compression_options.default_algorithm.is_set = true;
+      GPR_ASSERT(args->args[i].value.integer >= 0 &&
+                 args->args[i].value.integer < GRPC_COMPRESS_ALGORITHMS_COUNT);
+      channel->compression_options.default_algorithm.algorithm =
+          (grpc_compression_algorithm)args->args[i].value.integer;
+    } else if (0 ==
+               strcmp(args->args[i].key,
+                      GRPC_COMPRESSION_CHANNEL_ENABLED_ALGORITHMS_BITSET)) {
+      channel->compression_options.enabled_algorithms_bitset =
+          (uint32_t)args->args[i].value.integer |
+          0x1; /* always support no compression */
     }
-    grpc_channel_args_destroy(args);
   }
 
+done:
+  grpc_channel_args_destroy(args);
   return channel;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/lame_client.c b/src/core/lib/surface/lame_client.c
index d0df8e7..57da94a 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/lame_client.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/lame_client.c
@@ -123,11 +123,12 @@
   gpr_free(and_free_memory);
 }
 
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_first);
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_last);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/server.c b/src/core/lib/surface/server.c
index fe73aa3..62d7afc 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/server.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/server.c
@@ -914,9 +914,9 @@
   server_unref(exec_ctx, chand->server);
 }
 
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   channel_data *chand = elem->channel_data;
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_first);
   GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
@@ -927,6 +927,7 @@
   chand->connectivity_state = GRPC_CHANNEL_IDLE;
   grpc_closure_init(&chand->channel_connectivity_changed,
                     channel_connectivity_changed, chand);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/src/cpp/common/channel_filter.h b/src/cpp/common/channel_filter.h
index e420efc..107522e 100644
--- a/src/cpp/common/channel_filter.h
+++ b/src/cpp/common/channel_filter.h
@@ -220,6 +220,9 @@
     if (peer_) gpr_free((void *)peer_);
   }
 
+  /// Initializes the call data.
+  virtual grpc_error *Init() { return GRPC_ERROR_NONE; }
+
   /// Caller does NOT take ownership of result.
   const char *peer() const { return peer_; }
 
@@ -276,15 +279,17 @@
  public:
   static const size_t channel_data_size = sizeof(ChannelDataType);
 
-  static void InitChannelElement(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                                 grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                                 grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+  static grpc_error *InitChannelElement(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                        grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                        grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
     const char *peer =
         args->optional_transport
             ? grpc_transport_get_peer(exec_ctx, args->optional_transport)
             : nullptr;
     // Construct the object in the already-allocated memory.
-    new (elem->channel_data) ChannelDataType(*args->channel_args, peer);
+    ChannelDataType *channel_data =
+        new (elem->channel_data) ChannelDataType(*args->channel_args, peer);
+    return channel_data->Init();
   }
 
   static void DestroyChannelElement(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c b/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c
index 0840820..b43d05e 100644
--- a/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c
+++ b/test/core/channel/channel_stack_test.c
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@
 
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
-static void channel_init_func(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+static grpc_error *channel_init_func(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
   GPR_ASSERT(args->channel_args->num_args == 1);
   GPR_ASSERT(args->channel_args->args[0].type == GRPC_ARG_INTEGER);
   GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(args->channel_args->args[0].key, "test_key"));
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_first);
   GPR_ASSERT(args->is_last);
   *(int *)(elem->channel_data) = 0;
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
 }
 
 static grpc_error *call_init_func(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c
index 41ae575..6d9351e 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_call_init_fails.c
@@ -216,9 +216,11 @@
                               const grpc_call_final_info *final_info,
                               void *and_free_memory) {}
 
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {}
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
+}
 
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_channel_element *elem) {}
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c
index bf9fd90..21905b9 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_causes_close.c
@@ -243,9 +243,11 @@
                               const grpc_call_final_info *final_info,
                               void *and_free_memory) {}
 
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {}
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
+}
 
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_channel_element *elem) {}
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c
index ea63d45..e102048 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/filter_latency.c
@@ -281,9 +281,11 @@
   gpr_mu_unlock(&g_mu);
 }
 
-static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
-                              grpc_channel_element *elem,
-                              grpc_channel_element_args *args) {}
+static grpc_error *init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
+                                     grpc_channel_element *elem,
+                                     grpc_channel_element_args *args) {
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
+}
 
 static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_channel_element *elem) {}
diff --git a/test/core/surface/channel_create_test.c b/test/core/surface/channel_create_test.c
index ad7970a..654e532 100644
--- a/test/core/surface/channel_create_test.c
+++ b/test/core/surface/channel_create_test.c
@@ -31,9 +31,14 @@
  *
  */
 
+#include <string.h>
+
 #include <grpc/grpc.h>
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
+
 #include "src/core/ext/client_channel/resolver_registry.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/surface/channel.h"
 #include "test/core/util/test_config.h"
 
 void test_unknown_scheme_target(void) {
@@ -44,6 +49,13 @@
 
   chan = grpc_insecure_channel_create("blah://blah", NULL, NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(chan != NULL);
+
+  grpc_exec_ctx exec_ctx = GRPC_EXEC_CTX_INIT;
+  grpc_channel_element *elem =
+      grpc_channel_stack_element(grpc_channel_get_channel_stack(chan), 0);
+  GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(elem->filter->name, "lame-client"));
+  grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
+
   grpc_channel_destroy(chan);
 }