diff --git a/particle.c b/particle.c
index 9e5288b..a280e11 100644
--- a/particle.c
+++ b/particle.c
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 #include "particle.h"
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
+void
+particle_default_destroy(struct particle *particle)
+{
+    if (particle->deco != NULL)
+        particle->deco->destroy(particle->deco);
+    free(particle);
+}
+
 struct particle *
 particle_common_new(int left_margin, int right_margin)
 {
diff --git a/particle.h b/particle.h
index 56f2222..375d533 100644
--- a/particle.h
+++ b/particle.h
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ struct particle {
     void *private;
 
     int left_margin, right_margin;
-    const struct deco *deco;
+    struct deco *deco;
 
     void (*destroy)(struct particle *particle);
     struct exposable *(*instantiate)(const struct particle *particle,
@@ -35,3 +35,4 @@ struct exposable {
 };
 
 struct particle *particle_common_new(int left_margin, int right_margin);
+void particle_default_destroy(struct particle *particle);