diff --git a/src/pvxs/client.h b/src/pvxs/client.h
index bc0c80f..a8cb464 100644
--- a/src/pvxs/client.h
+++ b/src/pvxs/client.h
@@ -359,6 +359,7 @@ public:
     void hurryUp();
 
     explicit operator bool() const { return pvt.operator bool(); }
+    size_t use_count() const { return pvt.use_count(); }
 private:
     std::shared_ptr<Pvt> pvt;
 };
diff --git a/test/testget.cpp b/test/testget.cpp
index e1fff9e..089ef62 100644
--- a/test/testget.cpp
+++ b/test/testget.cpp
@@ -43,6 +43,12 @@ struct Tester {
         initial["value"] = 42;
     }
 
+    ~Tester()
+    {
+        if(cli.use_count()!=1u)
+            testAbort("Tester Context leak");
+    }
+
     void testWaiter()
     {
         testShow()<<__func__;
diff --git a/test/testmon.cpp b/test/testmon.cpp
index d3e3e59..855bbb8 100644
--- a/test/testmon.cpp
+++ b/test/testmon.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,12 @@ struct BasicTest {
         initial["value"] = 42;
     }
 
+    ~BasicTest()
+    {
+        if(cli.use_count()!=1u)
+            testAbort("Tester Context leak");
+    }
+
     void subscribe(const char *name)
     {
         sub = cli.monitor(name)