diff --git a/src/evalvars.c b/src/evalvars.c
index 058e804..19a0f33 100644
--- a/src/evalvars.c
+++ b/src/evalvars.c
@@ -2816,11 +2816,13 @@
 		    type = sv->sv_type;
 	    }
 
-	    // If a list or dict variable wasn't initialized, do it now.
-	    // Not for global variables, they are not declared.
+	    // If a list or dict variable wasn't initialized and has meaningful
+	    // type, do it now.  Not for global variables, they are not
+	    // declared.
 	    if (ht != &globvarht)
 	    {
-		if (tv->v_type == VAR_DICT && tv->vval.v_dict == NULL)
+		if (tv->v_type == VAR_DICT && tv->vval.v_dict == NULL
+				      && type != NULL && type != &t_dict_empty)
 		{
 		    tv->vval.v_dict = dict_alloc();
 		    if (tv->vval.v_dict != NULL)
@@ -2829,7 +2831,8 @@
 			tv->vval.v_dict->dv_type = alloc_type(type);
 		    }
 		}
-		else if (tv->v_type == VAR_LIST && tv->vval.v_list == NULL)
+		else if (tv->v_type == VAR_LIST && tv->vval.v_list == NULL
+				      && type != NULL && type != &t_list_empty)
 		{
 		    tv->vval.v_list = list_alloc();
 		    if (tv->vval.v_list != NULL)
@@ -2838,12 +2841,6 @@
 			tv->vval.v_list->lv_type = alloc_type(type);
 		    }
 		}
-		else if (tv->v_type == VAR_BLOB && tv->vval.v_blob == NULL)
-		{
-		    tv->vval.v_blob = blob_alloc();
-		    if (tv->vval.v_blob != NULL)
-			++tv->vval.v_blob->bv_refcount;
-		}
 	    }
 	    copy_tv(tv, rettv);
 	}
diff --git a/src/proto/vim9instr.pro b/src/proto/vim9instr.pro
index 76f3b21..52a7c79 100644
--- a/src/proto/vim9instr.pro
+++ b/src/proto/vim9instr.pro
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@
 int generate_LOCKCONST(cctx_T *cctx);
 int generate_OLDSCRIPT(cctx_T *cctx, isntype_T isn_type, char_u *name, int sid, type_T *type);
 int generate_VIM9SCRIPT(cctx_T *cctx, isntype_T isn_type, int sid, int idx, type_T *type);
-int generate_NEWLIST(cctx_T *cctx, int count);
-int generate_NEWDICT(cctx_T *cctx, int count);
+int generate_NEWLIST(cctx_T *cctx, int count, int use_null);
+int generate_NEWDICT(cctx_T *cctx, int count, int use_null);
 int generate_FUNCREF(cctx_T *cctx, ufunc_T *ufunc, isn_T **isnp);
 int generate_NEWFUNC(cctx_T *cctx, char_u *lambda_name, char_u *func_name);
 int generate_DEF(cctx_T *cctx, char_u *name, size_t len);
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_vim9_builtin.vim b/src/testdir/test_vim9_builtin.vim
index 8b9dbd6..24a7f95 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_vim9_builtin.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_vim9_builtin.vim
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@
   END
   v9.CheckDefExecFailure(lines, 'E1131:', 2)
 
-  # Getting variable with NULL blob allocates a new blob at script level
+  # Getting variable with NULL blob fails
   lines =<< trim END
       vim9script
       var b: blob = test_null_blob()
       add(b, 123)
   END
-  v9.CheckScriptSuccess(lines)
+  v9.CheckScriptFailure(lines, 'E1131:', 3)
 enddef
 
 def Test_add_list()
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_vim9_disassemble.vim b/src/testdir/test_vim9_disassemble.vim
index 77c4675..7e30213 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_vim9_disassemble.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_vim9_disassemble.vim
@@ -439,11 +439,11 @@
           '\d\+ STORE $\d\_s*' ..
 
           'var dd = null_dict\_s*' ..
-          '\d\+ NEWDICT size 0\_s*' ..
+          '\d\+ NEWDICT size -1\_s*' ..
           '\d\+ STORE $\d\_s*' ..
 
           'var ll = null_list\_s*' ..
-          '\d\+ NEWLIST size 0\_s*' ..
+          '\d\+ NEWLIST size -1\_s*' ..
           '\d\+ STORE $\d\_s*' ..
 
           'var Ff = null_function\_s*' ..
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_vim9_expr.vim b/src/testdir/test_vim9_expr.vim
index 41e398a..209bb10 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_vim9_expr.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_vim9_expr.vim
@@ -754,6 +754,12 @@
       assert_false(v:null != test_null_blob())
       assert_false(null != null_blob)
 
+      var nb = null_blob
+      assert_true(nb == null_blob)
+      assert_true(nb == null)
+      assert_true(null_blob == nb)
+      assert_true(null == nb)
+
       if has('channel')
         assert_true(test_null_channel() == v:null)
         assert_true(null_channel == null)
@@ -763,6 +769,12 @@
         assert_false(null_channel != null)
         assert_false(v:null != test_null_channel())
         assert_false(null != null_channel)
+
+        var nc = null_channel
+        assert_true(nc == null_channel)
+        assert_true(nc == null)
+        assert_true(null_channel == nc)
+        assert_true(null == nc)
       endif
 
       assert_true(test_null_dict() == v:null)
@@ -779,6 +791,12 @@
       assert_false(g:null_dict != v:null)
       assert_false(v:null != g:null_dict)
 
+      var nd = null_dict
+      assert_true(nd == null_dict)
+      assert_true(nd == null)
+      assert_true(null_dict == nd)
+      assert_true(null == nd)
+
       assert_true(test_null_function() == v:null)
       assert_true(null_function == null)
       assert_true(v:null == test_null_function())
@@ -788,6 +806,12 @@
       assert_false(v:null != test_null_function())
       assert_false(null != null_function)
 
+      var Nf = null_function
+      assert_true(Nf == null_function)
+      assert_true(Nf == null)
+      assert_true(null_function == Nf)
+      assert_true(null == Nf)
+
       if has('job')
         assert_true(test_null_job() == v:null)
         assert_true(null_job == null)
@@ -797,6 +821,12 @@
         assert_false(null_job != null)
         assert_false(v:null != test_null_job())
         assert_false(null != null_job)
+
+        var nj = null_job
+        assert_true(nj == null_job)
+        assert_true(nj == null)
+        assert_true(null_job == nj)
+        assert_true(null == nj)
       endif
 
       assert_true(test_null_list() == v:null)
@@ -813,6 +843,12 @@
       assert_true(g:not_null_list != v:null)
       assert_true(v:null != g:not_null_list)
 
+      var nl = null_list
+      assert_true(nl == null_list)
+      assert_true(nl == null)
+      assert_true(null_list == nl)
+      assert_true(null == nl)
+
       assert_true(test_null_partial() == v:null)
       assert_true(null_partial == null)
       assert_true(v:null == test_null_partial())
@@ -822,6 +858,12 @@
       assert_false(v:null != test_null_partial())
       assert_false(null != null_partial)
 
+      var Np = null_partial
+      assert_true(Np == null_partial)
+      assert_true(Np == null)
+      assert_true(null_partial == Np)
+      assert_true(null == Np)
+
       assert_true(test_null_string() == v:null)
       assert_true(null_string == null)
       assert_true(v:null == test_null_string())
@@ -837,6 +879,12 @@
       assert_false(null_string isnot test_null_string())
       assert_true(null_string isnot '')
       assert_true('' isnot null_string)
+
+      var ns = null_string
+      assert_true(ns == null_string)
+      assert_true(ns == null)
+      assert_true(null_string == ns)
+      assert_true(null == ns)
   END
   v9.CheckDefAndScriptSuccess(lines)
   unlet g:null_dict
diff --git a/src/typval.c b/src/typval.c
index d0c937e..50b1d62 100644
--- a/src/typval.c
+++ b/src/typval.c
@@ -1314,6 +1314,19 @@
 		return FAIL;
 	}
     }
+#ifdef FEAT_JOB_CHANNEL
+    else if (tv1->v_type == tv2->v_type
+	    && (tv1->v_type == VAR_CHANNEL || tv1->v_type == VAR_JOB)
+	    && (type == EXPR_NEQUAL || type == EXPR_EQUAL))
+    {
+	if (tv1->v_type == VAR_CHANNEL)
+	    n1 = tv1->vval.v_channel == tv2->vval.v_channel;
+	else
+	    n1 = tv1->vval.v_job == tv2->vval.v_job;
+	if (type == EXPR_NEQUAL)
+	    n1 = !n1;
+    }
+#endif
     else
     {
 	if (typval_compare_string(tv1, tv2, type, ic, &res) == FAIL)
@@ -1417,7 +1430,7 @@
 	    default: break;
 	}
     }
-    // although comparing null with number, float or bool is not very usefule
+    // although comparing null with number, float or bool is not very useful
     // we won't give an error
     return FALSE;
 }
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 169468b..6986aaa 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -751,6 +751,8 @@
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    4634,
+/**/
     4633,
 /**/
     4632,
diff --git a/src/vim9.h b/src/vim9.h
index ed5f676..60c54d9 100644
--- a/src/vim9.h
+++ b/src/vim9.h
@@ -90,7 +90,9 @@
     ISN_PUSHCHANNEL,	// push NULL channel
     ISN_PUSHJOB,	// push NULL job
     ISN_NEWLIST,	// push list from stack items, size is isn_arg.number
+			// -1 for null_list
     ISN_NEWDICT,	// push dict from stack items, size is isn_arg.number
+			// -1 for null_dict
     ISN_NEWPARTIAL,	// push NULL partial
 
     ISN_AUTOLOAD,	// get item from autoload import, function or variable
diff --git a/src/vim9compile.c b/src/vim9compile.c
index 1eb6ce2..4e3a1bf 100644
--- a/src/vim9compile.c
+++ b/src/vim9compile.c
@@ -1955,7 +1955,7 @@
 		generate_PUSHS(cctx, &li->li_tv.vval.v_string);
 		li->li_tv.vval.v_string = NULL;
 	    }
-	    generate_NEWLIST(cctx, l->lv_len);
+	    generate_NEWLIST(cctx, l->lv_len, FALSE);
 	}
 	list_free(l);
 	p += STRLEN(p);
@@ -2239,10 +2239,10 @@
 			generate_PUSHFUNC(cctx, NULL, &t_func_void);
 			break;
 		    case VAR_LIST:
-			generate_NEWLIST(cctx, 0);
+			generate_NEWLIST(cctx, 0, FALSE);
 			break;
 		    case VAR_DICT:
-			generate_NEWDICT(cctx, 0);
+			generate_NEWDICT(cctx, 0, FALSE);
 			break;
 		    case VAR_JOB:
 			generate_PUSHJOB(cctx);
diff --git a/src/vim9execute.c b/src/vim9execute.c
index 2d6a3fe..0404eb4 100644
--- a/src/vim9execute.c
+++ b/src/vim9execute.c
@@ -122,29 +122,103 @@
 /*
  * Create a new list from "count" items at the bottom of the stack.
  * When "count" is zero an empty list is added to the stack.
+ * When "count" is -1 a NULL list is added to the stack.
  */
     static int
 exe_newlist(int count, ectx_T *ectx)
 {
-    list_T	*list = list_alloc_with_items(count);
+    list_T	*list = NULL;
     int		idx;
     typval_T	*tv;
 
-    if (list == NULL)
-	return FAIL;
-    for (idx = 0; idx < count; ++idx)
-	list_set_item(list, idx, STACK_TV_BOT(idx - count));
+    if (count >= 0)
+    {
+	list = list_alloc_with_items(count);
+	if (list == NULL)
+	    return FAIL;
+	for (idx = 0; idx < count; ++idx)
+	    list_set_item(list, idx, STACK_TV_BOT(idx - count));
+    }
 
     if (count > 0)
 	ectx->ec_stack.ga_len -= count - 1;
     else if (GA_GROW_FAILS(&ectx->ec_stack, 1))
+    {
+	list_unref(list);
 	return FAIL;
+    }
     else
 	++ectx->ec_stack.ga_len;
     tv = STACK_TV_BOT(-1);
     tv->v_type = VAR_LIST;
     tv->vval.v_list = list;
-    ++list->lv_refcount;
+    if (list != NULL)
+	++list->lv_refcount;
+    return OK;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Implementation of ISN_NEWDICT.
+ * Returns FAIL on total failure, MAYBE on error.
+ */
+    static int
+exe_newdict(int count, ectx_T *ectx)
+{
+    dict_T	*dict = NULL;
+    dictitem_T	*item;
+    char_u	*key;
+    int		idx;
+    typval_T	*tv;
+
+    if (count >= 0)
+    {
+	dict = dict_alloc();
+	if (unlikely(dict == NULL))
+	    return FAIL;
+	for (idx = 0; idx < count; ++idx)
+	{
+	    // have already checked key type is VAR_STRING
+	    tv = STACK_TV_BOT(2 * (idx - count));
+	    // check key is unique
+	    key = tv->vval.v_string == NULL
+				? (char_u *)"" : tv->vval.v_string;
+	    item = dict_find(dict, key, -1);
+	    if (item != NULL)
+	    {
+		semsg(_(e_duplicate_key_in_dicitonary), key);
+		dict_unref(dict);
+		return MAYBE;
+	    }
+	    item = dictitem_alloc(key);
+	    clear_tv(tv);
+	    if (unlikely(item == NULL))
+	    {
+		dict_unref(dict);
+		return FAIL;
+	    }
+	    item->di_tv = *STACK_TV_BOT(2 * (idx - count) + 1);
+	    item->di_tv.v_lock = 0;
+	    if (dict_add(dict, item) == FAIL)
+	    {
+		// can this ever happen?
+		dict_unref(dict);
+		return FAIL;
+	    }
+	}
+    }
+
+    if (count > 0)
+	ectx->ec_stack.ga_len -= 2 * count - 1;
+    else if (GA_GROW_FAILS(&ectx->ec_stack, 1))
+	return FAIL;
+    else
+	++ectx->ec_stack.ga_len;
+    tv = STACK_TV_BOT(-1);
+    tv->v_type = VAR_DICT;
+    tv->v_lock = 0;
+    tv->vval.v_dict = dict;
+    if (dict != NULL)
+	++dict->dv_refcount;
     return OK;
 }
 
@@ -3357,57 +3431,14 @@
 	    // create a dict from items on the stack
 	    case ISN_NEWDICT:
 		{
-		    int		count = iptr->isn_arg.number;
-		    dict_T	*dict = dict_alloc();
-		    dictitem_T	*item;
-		    char_u	*key;
-		    int		idx;
+		    int res;
 
-		    if (unlikely(dict == NULL))
+		    SOURCING_LNUM = iptr->isn_lnum;
+		    res = exe_newdict(iptr->isn_arg.number, ectx);
+		    if (res == FAIL)
 			goto theend;
-		    for (idx = 0; idx < count; ++idx)
-		    {
-			// have already checked key type is VAR_STRING
-			tv = STACK_TV_BOT(2 * (idx - count));
-			// check key is unique
-			key = tv->vval.v_string == NULL
-					    ? (char_u *)"" : tv->vval.v_string;
-			item = dict_find(dict, key, -1);
-			if (item != NULL)
-			{
-			    SOURCING_LNUM = iptr->isn_lnum;
-			    semsg(_(e_duplicate_key_in_dicitonary), key);
-			    dict_unref(dict);
-			    goto on_error;
-			}
-			item = dictitem_alloc(key);
-			clear_tv(tv);
-			if (unlikely(item == NULL))
-			{
-			    dict_unref(dict);
-			    goto theend;
-			}
-			item->di_tv = *STACK_TV_BOT(2 * (idx - count) + 1);
-			item->di_tv.v_lock = 0;
-			if (dict_add(dict, item) == FAIL)
-			{
-			    // can this ever happen?
-			    dict_unref(dict);
-			    goto theend;
-			}
-		    }
-
-		    if (count > 0)
-			ectx->ec_stack.ga_len -= 2 * count - 1;
-		    else if (GA_GROW_FAILS(&ectx->ec_stack, 1))
-			goto theend;
-		    else
-			++ectx->ec_stack.ga_len;
-		    tv = STACK_TV_BOT(-1);
-		    tv->v_type = VAR_DICT;
-		    tv->v_lock = 0;
-		    tv->vval.v_dict = dict;
-		    ++dict->dv_refcount;
+		    if (res == MAYBE)
+			goto on_error;
 		}
 		break;
 
diff --git a/src/vim9expr.c b/src/vim9expr.c
index 8c7d0b0e..90d7c8c 100644
--- a/src/vim9expr.c
+++ b/src/vim9expr.c
@@ -958,7 +958,7 @@
     *arg = p;
 
     ppconst->pp_is_const = is_all_const;
-    return generate_NEWLIST(cctx, count);
+    return generate_NEWLIST(cctx, count, FALSE);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -1246,7 +1246,7 @@
 
     dict_unref(d);
     ppconst->pp_is_const = is_all_const;
-    return generate_NEWDICT(cctx, count);
+    return generate_NEWDICT(cctx, count, FALSE);
 
 failret:
     if (*arg == NULL)
diff --git a/src/vim9instr.c b/src/vim9instr.c
index f020621..57943b8 100644
--- a/src/vim9instr.c
+++ b/src/vim9instr.c
@@ -581,12 +581,12 @@
 	    case VAR_LIST:
 		if (tv->vval.v_list != NULL)
 		    iemsg("non-empty list constant not supported");
-		generate_NEWLIST(cctx, 0);
+		generate_NEWLIST(cctx, 0, TRUE);
 		break;
 	    case VAR_DICT:
 		if (tv->vval.v_dict != NULL)
 		    iemsg("non-empty dict constant not supported");
-		generate_NEWDICT(cctx, 0);
+		generate_NEWDICT(cctx, 0, TRUE);
 		break;
 #ifdef FEAT_JOB_CHANNEL
 	    case VAR_JOB:
@@ -1115,10 +1115,11 @@
 }
 
 /*
- * Generate an ISN_NEWLIST instruction.
+ * Generate an ISN_NEWLIST instruction for "count" items.
+ * "use_null" is TRUE for null_list.
  */
     int
-generate_NEWLIST(cctx_T *cctx, int count)
+generate_NEWLIST(cctx_T *cctx, int count, int use_null)
 {
     isn_T	*isn;
     type_T	*member_type;
@@ -1128,7 +1129,7 @@
     RETURN_OK_IF_SKIP(cctx);
     if ((isn = generate_instr(cctx, ISN_NEWLIST)) == NULL)
 	return FAIL;
-    isn->isn_arg.number = count;
+    isn->isn_arg.number = use_null ? -1 : count;
 
     // Get the member type and the declared member type from all the items on
     // the stack.
@@ -1145,9 +1146,10 @@
 
 /*
  * Generate an ISN_NEWDICT instruction.
+ * "use_null" is TRUE for null_dict.
  */
     int
-generate_NEWDICT(cctx_T *cctx, int count)
+generate_NEWDICT(cctx_T *cctx, int count, int use_null)
 {
     isn_T	*isn;
     type_T	*member_type;
@@ -1157,7 +1159,7 @@
     RETURN_OK_IF_SKIP(cctx);
     if ((isn = generate_instr(cctx, ISN_NEWDICT)) == NULL)
 	return FAIL;
-    isn->isn_arg.number = count;
+    isn->isn_arg.number = use_null ? -1 : count;
 
     member_type = get_member_type_from_stack(count, 2, cctx);
     type = get_dict_type(member_type, cctx->ctx_type_list);