diff --git a/src/or/circuit.c b/src/or/circuit.c
index cd87d59c7a..81944fd03b 100644
--- a/src/or/circuit.c
+++ b/src/or/circuit.c
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ circuit_t *circuit_get_newest(connection_t *conn,
  * the list.
  */
 circuit_t *circuit_get_next_by_pk_and_purpose(circuit_t *start,
-                                         const char *digest, int purpose)
+                                         const char *digest, uint8_t purpose)
 {
   circuit_t *circ;
   if (start == NULL)
diff --git a/src/or/connection.c b/src/or/connection.c
index b6ed726c3e..3f0e5cbb5c 100644
--- a/src/or/connection.c
+++ b/src/or/connection.c
@@ -1026,8 +1026,9 @@ void assert_connection_ok(connection_t *conn, time_t now)
   } else {
     assert(!conn->socks_request);
   }
-  if(conn->type != CONN_TYPE_DIR) {
-    assert(!conn->purpose); /* only used for dir types currently */
+  if(conn->type != CONN_TYPE_DIR &&
+     conn->type != CONN_TYPE_AP) {
+    assert(!conn->purpose); /* only used for dir and ap types currently */
   }
 
   switch(conn->type)
diff --git a/src/or/connection_edge.c b/src/or/connection_edge.c
index a253b77bd7..135ed98df6 100644
--- a/src/or/connection_edge.c
+++ b/src/or/connection_edge.c
@@ -817,8 +817,9 @@ int connection_ap_handshake_attach_circuit(connection_t *conn) {
       /* is one already on the way? */
       circ = circuit_launch_new(desired_circuit_purpose, NULL);
       /* depending on purpose, store stuff into circ */
-      if (desired_circuit_purpose == CIRCUIT_PURPOSE_C_GENERAL ||
-          desired_circuit_purpose == CIRCUIT_PURPOSE_C_ESTABLISH_REND) {
+      if(circ &&
+         (desired_circuit_purpose == CIRCUIT_PURPOSE_C_GENERAL ||
+          desired_circuit_purpose == CIRCUIT_PURPOSE_C_ESTABLISH_REND)) {
         /* then write the service_id into circ */
         strcpy(circ->rend_query, conn->rend_query);
       }
@@ -964,6 +965,7 @@ int connection_ap_make_bridge(char *address, uint16_t port) {
   }
 
   conn->state = AP_CONN_STATE_CIRCUIT_WAIT;
+  conn->purpose = AP_PURPOSE_GENERAL;
   connection_start_reading(conn);
 
   /* attaching to a dirty circuit is fine */
diff --git a/src/or/or.h b/src/or/or.h
index 43ca18bae6..bfff91be5b 100644
--- a/src/or/or.h
+++ b/src/or/or.h
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
 #define AP_PURPOSE_RENDDESC_WAIT 2
 #define AP_PURPOSE_RENDPOINT_WAIT 3
 #define AP_PURPOSE_INTROPOINT_WAIT 4
-#define _AP_PURPOSE_MAX 3
+#define _AP_PURPOSE_MAX 4
 
 #define _DIR_CONN_STATE_MIN 1
 #define DIR_CONN_STATE_CONNECTING 1
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ circuit_t *circuit_get_by_conn(connection_t *conn);
 circuit_t *circuit_get_newest(connection_t *conn,
                               int must_be_open, uint8_t conn_purpose);
 circuit_t *circuit_get_next_by_pk_and_purpose(circuit_t *circuit,
-                                             const char *servid, int purpose);
+                                              const char *servid, uint8_t purpose);
 circuit_t *circuit_get_rendezvous(const char *cookie);
 
 void circuit_expire_building(void);
diff --git a/src/or/rendclient.c b/src/or/rendclient.c
index 8f8aa26795..bd775b4f6a 100644
--- a/src/or/rendclient.c
+++ b/src/or/rendclient.c
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ void
 rend_client_introcirc_is_ready(connection_t *apconn, circuit_t *circ)
 {
 
-
+  log_fn(LOG_WARN,"introcirc is ready");
 }
 
 /* send the rendezvous cell */
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ rend_client_rendcirc_is_ready(connection_t *apconn, circuit_t *circ)
 {
 
 
+  log_fn(LOG_WARN,"rendcirc is ready");
 }
 
 /* bob sent us a rendezvous cell, join the circs. */