diff --git a/libxfs/xfs_attr.c b/libxfs/xfs_attr.c
index f036460..0e45b0d 100644
--- a/libxfs/xfs_attr.c
+++ b/libxfs/xfs_attr.c
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ STATIC int xfs_attr_shortform_addname(xfs_da_args_t *args);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_leaf_get(xfs_da_args_t *args);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_leaf_addname(xfs_da_args_t *args);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_leaf_removename(xfs_da_args_t *args);
+STATIC int xfs_leaf_has_attr(struct xfs_da_args *args, struct xfs_buf **bp);
 
 /*
  * Internal routines when attribute list is more than one block.
@@ -52,6 +53,8 @@ STATIC int xfs_attr_leaf_removename(xfs_da_args_t *args);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_node_get(xfs_da_args_t *args);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_node_addname(xfs_da_args_t *args);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_node_removename(xfs_da_args_t *args);
+STATIC int xfs_attr_node_hasname(xfs_da_args_t *args,
+				 struct xfs_da_state **state);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_fillstate(xfs_da_state_t *state);
 STATIC int xfs_attr_refillstate(xfs_da_state_t *state);
 
@@ -275,6 +278,32 @@ xfs_attr_set_args(
 }
 
 /*
+ * Return EEXIST if attr is found, or ENOATTR if not
+ */
+int
+xfs_has_attr(
+	struct xfs_da_args      *args)
+{
+	struct xfs_inode        *dp = args->dp;
+	struct xfs_buf		*bp;
+	int                     error;
+
+	if (!xfs_inode_hasattr(dp)) {
+		error = -ENOATTR;
+	} else if (dp->i_d.di_aformat == XFS_DINODE_FMT_LOCAL) {
+		ASSERT(dp->i_afp->if_flags & XFS_IFINLINE);
+		error = xfs_shortform_has_attr(args, NULL, NULL);
+	} else if (xfs_bmap_one_block(dp, XFS_ATTR_FORK)) {
+		error = xfs_leaf_has_attr(args, &bp);
+		xfs_trans_brelse(args->trans, bp);
+	} else {
+		error = xfs_attr_node_hasname(args, NULL);
+	}
+
+	return error;
+}
+
+/*
  * Remove the attribute specified in @args.
  */
 int
@@ -540,26 +569,17 @@ STATIC int
 xfs_attr_leaf_addname(
 	struct xfs_da_args	*args)
 {
-	struct xfs_inode	*dp;
 	struct xfs_buf		*bp;
 	int			retval, error, forkoff;
+	struct xfs_inode	*dp = args->dp;
 
 	trace_xfs_attr_leaf_addname(args);
 
 	/*
-	 * Read the (only) block in the attribute list in.
-	 */
-	dp = args->dp;
-	args->blkno = 0;
-	error = xfs_attr3_leaf_read(args->trans, args->dp, args->blkno, -1, &bp);
-	if (error)
-		return error;
-
-	/*
 	 * Look up the given attribute in the leaf block.  Figure out if
 	 * the given flags produce an error or call for an atomic rename.
 	 */
-	retval = xfs_attr3_leaf_lookup_int(bp, args);
+	retval = xfs_leaf_has_attr(args, &bp);
 	if ((args->name.type & ATTR_REPLACE) && (retval == -ENOATTR)) {
 		xfs_trans_brelse(args->trans, bp);
 		return retval;
@@ -711,6 +731,25 @@ xfs_attr_leaf_addname(
 }
 
 /*
+ * Return EEXIST if attr is found, or ENOATTR if not
+ */
+STATIC int
+xfs_leaf_has_attr(
+	struct xfs_da_args      *args,
+	struct xfs_buf		**bp)
+{
+	int                     error = 0;
+
+	args->blkno = 0;
+	error = xfs_attr3_leaf_read(args->trans, args->dp,
+			args->blkno, XFS_DABUF_MAP_NOMAPPING, bp);
+	if (error)
+		return error;
+
+	return xfs_attr3_leaf_lookup_int(*bp, args);
+}
+
+/*
  * Remove a name from the leaf attribute list structure
  *
  * This leaf block cannot have a "remote" value, we only call this routine
@@ -730,12 +769,8 @@ xfs_attr_leaf_removename(
 	 * Remove the attribute.
 	 */
 	dp = args->dp;
-	args->blkno = 0;
-	error = xfs_attr3_leaf_read(args->trans, args->dp, args->blkno, -1, &bp);
-	if (error)
-		return error;
 
-	error = xfs_attr3_leaf_lookup_int(bp, args);
+	error = xfs_leaf_has_attr(args, &bp);
 	if (error == -ENOATTR) {
 		xfs_trans_brelse(args->trans, bp);
 		return error;
@@ -772,12 +807,7 @@ xfs_attr_leaf_get(xfs_da_args_t *args)
 
 	trace_xfs_attr_leaf_get(args);
 
-	args->blkno = 0;
-	error = xfs_attr3_leaf_read(args->trans, args->dp, args->blkno, -1, &bp);
-	if (error)
-		return error;
-
-	error = xfs_attr3_leaf_lookup_int(bp, args);
+	error = xfs_leaf_has_attr(args, &bp);
 	if (error != -EEXIST)  {
 		xfs_trans_brelse(args->trans, bp);
 		return error;
@@ -791,6 +821,43 @@ xfs_attr_leaf_get(xfs_da_args_t *args)
 	return error;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Return EEXIST if attr is found, or ENOATTR if not
+ * statep: If not null is set to point at the found state.  Caller will
+ * 	   be responsible for freeing the state in this case.
+ */
+STATIC int
+xfs_attr_node_hasname(
+	struct xfs_da_args	*args,
+	struct xfs_da_state	**statep)
+{
+	struct xfs_da_state	*state;
+	struct xfs_inode	*dp;
+	int			retval, error;
+
+	/*
+	 * Tie a string around our finger to remind us where we are.
+	 */
+	dp = args->dp;
+	state = xfs_da_state_alloc();
+	state->args = args;
+	state->mp = dp->i_mount;
+
+	/*
+	 * Search to see if name exists, and get back a pointer to it.
+	 */
+	error = xfs_da3_node_lookup_int(state, &retval);
+	if (error == 0)
+		error = retval;
+
+	if (statep != NULL)
+		*statep = state;
+	else
+		xfs_da_state_free(state);
+
+	return error;
+}
+
 /*========================================================================
  * External routines when attribute list size > geo->blksize
  *========================================================================*/
@@ -823,17 +890,14 @@ xfs_attr_node_addname(
 	dp = args->dp;
 	mp = dp->i_mount;
 restart:
-	state = xfs_da_state_alloc();
-	state->args = args;
-	state->mp = mp;
-
 	/*
 	 * Search to see if name already exists, and get back a pointer
 	 * to where it should go.
 	 */
-	error = xfs_da3_node_lookup_int(state, &retval);
-	if (error)
+	error = xfs_attr_node_hasname(args, &state);
+	if (error == -EEXIST)
 		goto out;
+
 	blk = &state->path.blk[ state->path.active-1 ];
 	ASSERT(blk->magic == XFS_ATTR_LEAF_MAGIC);
 	if ((args->name.type & ATTR_REPLACE) && (retval == -ENOATTR)) {
@@ -1038,29 +1102,15 @@ xfs_attr_node_removename(
 {
 	struct xfs_da_state	*state;
 	struct xfs_da_state_blk	*blk;
-	struct xfs_inode	*dp;
 	struct xfs_buf		*bp;
 	int			retval, error, forkoff;
+	struct xfs_inode	*dp = args->dp;
 
 	trace_xfs_attr_node_removename(args);
 
-	/*
-	 * Tie a string around our finger to remind us where we are.
-	 */
-	dp = args->dp;
-	state = xfs_da_state_alloc();
-	state->args = args;
-	state->mp = dp->i_mount;
-
-	/*
-	 * Search to see if name exists, and get back a pointer to it.
-	 */
-	error = xfs_da3_node_lookup_int(state, &retval);
-	if (error || (retval != -EEXIST)) {
-		if (error == 0)
-			error = retval;
+	error = xfs_attr_node_hasname(args, &state);
+	if (error != -EEXIST)
 		goto out;
-	}
 
 	/*
 	 * If there is an out-of-line value, de-allocate the blocks.
@@ -1280,17 +1330,13 @@ xfs_attr_node_get(xfs_da_args_t *args)
 
 	trace_xfs_attr_node_get(args);
 
-	state = xfs_da_state_alloc();
-	state->args = args;
-	state->mp = args->dp->i_mount;
-
 	/*
 	 * Search to see if name exists, and get back a pointer to it.
 	 */
-	error = xfs_da3_node_lookup_int(state, &retval);
-	if (error) {
+	error = xfs_attr_node_hasname(args, &state);
+	if (error != -EEXIST) {
 		retval = error;
-	} else if (retval == -EEXIST) {
+	} else {
 		blk = &state->path.blk[ state->path.active-1 ];
 		ASSERT(blk->bp != NULL);
 		ASSERT(blk->magic == XFS_ATTR_LEAF_MAGIC);
diff --git a/libxfs/xfs_attr.h b/libxfs/xfs_attr.h
index aa7261a..6bd783c 100644
--- a/libxfs/xfs_attr.h
+++ b/libxfs/xfs_attr.h
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ int xfs_attr_set(struct xfs_inode *dp, struct xfs_name *name,
 		 unsigned char *value, int valuelen);
 int xfs_attr_set_args(struct xfs_da_args *args);
 int xfs_attr_remove(struct xfs_inode *dp, struct xfs_name *name);
+int xfs_has_attr(struct xfs_da_args *args);
 int xfs_attr_remove_args(struct xfs_da_args *args);
 int xfs_attr_list(struct xfs_inode *dp, char *buffer, int bufsize,
 		  int flags, struct attrlist_cursor_kern *cursor);
diff --git a/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.c b/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.c
index b8136ed..1b39477 100644
--- a/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.c
+++ b/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.c
@@ -542,6 +542,53 @@ xfs_attr_shortform_create(xfs_da_args_t *args)
 }
 
 /*
+ * Return EEXIST if attr is found, or ENOATTR if not
+ * args:  args containing attribute name and namelen
+ * sfep:  If not null, pointer will be set to the last attr entry found
+ * basep: If not null, pointer is set to the byte offset of the entry in the
+ *	  list
+ */
+int
+xfs_shortform_has_attr(
+	struct xfs_da_args	 *args,
+	struct xfs_attr_sf_entry **sfep,
+	int			 *basep)
+{
+	struct xfs_attr_shortform *sf;
+	struct xfs_attr_sf_entry *sfe;
+	int			base = sizeof(struct xfs_attr_sf_hdr);
+	int			size = 0;
+	int			end;
+	int			i;
+
+	base = sizeof(struct xfs_attr_sf_hdr);
+	sf = (struct xfs_attr_shortform *)args->dp->i_afp->if_u1.if_data;
+	sfe = &sf->list[0];
+	end = sf->hdr.count;
+	for (i = 0; i < end; sfe = XFS_ATTR_SF_NEXTENTRY(sfe),
+			base += size, i++) {
+		size = XFS_ATTR_SF_ENTSIZE(sfe);
+		if (sfe->namelen != args->name.len)
+			continue;
+		if (memcmp(sfe->nameval, args->name.name, args->name.len) != 0)
+			continue;
+		if (!xfs_attr_namesp_match(args->name.type, sfe->flags))
+			continue;
+		break;
+	}
+
+	if (sfep != NULL)
+		*sfep = sfe;
+
+	if (basep != NULL)
+		*basep = base;
+
+	if (i == end)
+		return -ENOATTR;
+	return -EEXIST;
+}
+
+/*
  * Add a name/value pair to the shortform attribute list.
  * Overflow from the inode has already been checked for.
  */
@@ -550,7 +597,7 @@ xfs_attr_shortform_add(xfs_da_args_t *args, int forkoff)
 {
 	xfs_attr_shortform_t *sf;
 	xfs_attr_sf_entry_t *sfe;
-	int i, offset, size;
+	int offset, size, error;
 	xfs_mount_t *mp;
 	xfs_inode_t *dp;
 	struct xfs_ifork *ifp;
@@ -564,18 +611,10 @@ xfs_attr_shortform_add(xfs_da_args_t *args, int forkoff)
 	ifp = dp->i_afp;
 	ASSERT(ifp->if_flags & XFS_IFINLINE);
 	sf = (xfs_attr_shortform_t *)ifp->if_u1.if_data;
-	sfe = &sf->list[0];
-	for (i = 0; i < sf->hdr.count; sfe = XFS_ATTR_SF_NEXTENTRY(sfe), i++) {
+	error = xfs_shortform_has_attr(args, &sfe, NULL);
 #ifdef DEBUG
-		if (sfe->namelen != args->name.len)
-			continue;
-		if (memcmp(args->name.name, sfe->nameval, args->name.len) != 0)
-			continue;
-		if (!xfs_attr_namesp_match(args->name.type, sfe->flags))
-			continue;
-		ASSERT(0);
+	ASSERT(error != -EEXIST);
 #endif
-	}
 
 	offset = (char *)sfe - (char *)sf;
 	size = XFS_ATTR_SF_ENTSIZE_BYNAME(args->name.len, args->valuelen);
@@ -620,33 +659,24 @@ xfs_attr_fork_remove(
 int
 xfs_attr_shortform_remove(xfs_da_args_t *args)
 {
-	xfs_attr_shortform_t *sf;
-	xfs_attr_sf_entry_t *sfe;
-	int base, size=0, end, totsize, i;
-	xfs_mount_t *mp;
-	xfs_inode_t *dp;
+	struct xfs_attr_shortform	*sf;
+	struct xfs_attr_sf_entry	*sfe;
+	int				base, size = 0, end, totsize;
+	struct xfs_mount		*mp;
+	struct xfs_inode		*dp;
+	int				error;
 
 	trace_xfs_attr_sf_remove(args);
 
 	dp = args->dp;
 	mp = dp->i_mount;
-	base = sizeof(xfs_attr_sf_hdr_t);
 	sf = (xfs_attr_shortform_t *)dp->i_afp->if_u1.if_data;
-	sfe = &sf->list[0];
 	end = sf->hdr.count;
-	for (i = 0; i < end; sfe = XFS_ATTR_SF_NEXTENTRY(sfe),
-					base += size, i++) {
-		size = XFS_ATTR_SF_ENTSIZE(sfe);
-		if (sfe->namelen != args->name.len)
-			continue;
-		if (memcmp(sfe->nameval, args->name.name, args->name.len) != 0)
-			continue;
-		if (!xfs_attr_namesp_match(args->name.type, sfe->flags))
-			continue;
-		break;
-	}
-	if (i == end)
-		return -ENOATTR;
+
+	error = xfs_shortform_has_attr(args, &sfe, &base);
+	if (error == -ENOATTR)
+		return error;
+	size = XFS_ATTR_SF_ENTSIZE(sfe);
 
 	/*
 	 * Fix up the attribute fork data, covering the hole
diff --git a/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.h b/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.h
index 536a290..58e9327 100644
--- a/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.h
+++ b/libxfs/xfs_attr_leaf.h
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ int	xfs_attr_shortform_getvalue(struct xfs_da_args *args);
 int	xfs_attr_shortform_to_leaf(struct xfs_da_args *args,
 			struct xfs_buf **leaf_bp);
 int	xfs_attr_shortform_remove(struct xfs_da_args *args);
+int	xfs_shortform_has_attr(struct xfs_da_args *args,
+			       struct xfs_attr_sf_entry **sfep, int *basep);
 int	xfs_attr_shortform_allfit(struct xfs_buf *bp, struct xfs_inode *dp);
 int	xfs_attr_shortform_bytesfit(struct xfs_inode *dp, int bytes);
 xfs_failaddr_t xfs_attr_shortform_verify(struct xfs_inode *ip);
