`reloc localvar` or `reloc param` are a solution to 'undefine' variable or parameter names within scope or function boundaries. The same would not be possible for reference names only: MyType a{}; MyType& b = a; reloc b; Would destroy and 'undefine' b, accessing a afterwards would be UB. Right? There would be no simple/analog way to only undefine b, but keep a intact. That is just how references are working. OTOH, `reloc a` gives a way to undefine a variable and it would be nice to do the same for a reference.