diff --git a/apps/esmtool/esmtool.cpp b/apps/esmtool/esmtool.cpp
index aaa5e16be5..4fe0b248af 100644
--- a/apps/esmtool/esmtool.cpp
+++ b/apps/esmtool/esmtool.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <map>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <cmath>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include <boost/program_options.hpp>
 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ struct ESMData
     unsigned int version;
     std::vector<ESM::Header::MasterData> masters;
 
-    std::deque<EsmTool::RecordBase *> mRecords;
+    std::deque<std::unique_ptr<EsmTool::RecordBase>> mRecords;
     // Value: (Reference, Deleted flag)
     std::map<ESM::Cell *, std::deque<std::pair<ESM::CellRef, bool> > > mCellRefs;
     std::map<int, int> mRecordStats;
@@ -363,7 +364,7 @@ int load(Arguments& info)
             uint32_t flags;
             esm.getRecHeader(flags);
 
-            EsmTool::RecordBase *record = EsmTool::RecordBase::create(n);
+            auto record = EsmTool::RecordBase::create(n);
             if (record == nullptr)
             {
                 if (skipped.count(n.toInt()) == 0)
@@ -408,11 +409,7 @@ int load(Arguments& info)
 
             if (save)
             {
-                info.data.mRecords.push_back(record);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                delete record;
+                info.data.mRecords.push_back(std::move(record));
             }
             ++info.data.mRecordStats[n.toInt()];
         }
@@ -420,9 +417,6 @@ int load(Arguments& info)
     } catch(std::exception &e) {
         std::cout << "\nERROR:\n\n  " << e.what() << std::endl;
 
-        for (const EsmTool::RecordBase* record : info.data.mRecords)
-            delete record;
-
         info.data.mRecords.clear();
         return 1;
     }
@@ -485,7 +479,7 @@ int clone(Arguments& info)
     esm.save(save);
 
     int saved = 0;
-    for (EsmTool::RecordBase* record : info.data.mRecords)
+    for (auto& record : info.data.mRecords)
     {
         if (i <= 0)
             break;
diff --git a/apps/esmtool/record.cpp b/apps/esmtool/record.cpp
index 171f64eabe..f9c3dea5d4 100644
--- a/apps/esmtool/record.cpp
+++ b/apps/esmtool/record.cpp
@@ -171,226 +171,227 @@ void printTransport(const std::vector<ESM::Transport::Dest>& transport)
 
 namespace EsmTool {
 
-RecordBase *
-RecordBase::create(const ESM::NAME type)
+std::unique_ptr<RecordBase> RecordBase::create(const ESM::NAME type)
 {
-    RecordBase *record = nullptr;
+    std::unique_ptr<RecordBase> record;
 
-    switch (type.toInt()) {
+    switch (type.toInt())
+    {
     case ESM::REC_ACTI:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Activator>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Activator>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_ALCH:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Potion>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Potion>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_APPA:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Apparatus>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Apparatus>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_ARMO:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Armor>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Armor>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_BODY:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::BodyPart>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::BodyPart>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_BOOK:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Book>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Book>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_BSGN:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::BirthSign>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::BirthSign>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_CELL:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Cell>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Cell>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_CLAS:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Class>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Class>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_CLOT:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Clothing>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Clothing>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_CONT:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Container>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Container>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_CREA:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Creature>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Creature>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_DIAL:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Dialogue>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Dialogue>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_DOOR:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Door>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Door>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_ENCH:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Enchantment>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Enchantment>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_FACT:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Faction>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Faction>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_GLOB:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Global>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Global>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_GMST:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::GameSetting>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::GameSetting>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_INFO:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::DialInfo>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::DialInfo>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_INGR:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Ingredient>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Ingredient>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_LAND:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Land>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Land>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_LEVI:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::ItemLevList>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::ItemLevList>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_LEVC:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::CreatureLevList>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::CreatureLevList>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_LIGH:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Light>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Light>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_LOCK:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Lockpick>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Lockpick>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_LTEX:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::LandTexture>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::LandTexture>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_MISC:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Miscellaneous>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Miscellaneous>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_MGEF:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::MagicEffect>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::MagicEffect>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_NPC_:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::NPC>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::NPC>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_PGRD:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Pathgrid>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Pathgrid>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_PROB:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Probe>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Probe>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_RACE:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Race>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Race>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_REGN:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Region>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Region>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_REPA:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Repair>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Repair>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_SCPT:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Script>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Script>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_SKIL:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Skill>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Skill>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_SNDG:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::SoundGenerator>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::SoundGenerator>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_SOUN:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Sound>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Sound>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_SPEL:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Spell>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Spell>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_STAT:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Static>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Static>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_WEAP:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::Weapon>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::Weapon>>();
         break;
     }
     case ESM::REC_SSCR:
     {
-        record = new EsmTool::Record<ESM::StartScript>;
+        record = std::make_unique<EsmTool::Record<ESM::StartScript>>();
         break;
     }
     default:
-        record = nullptr;
+        break;
     }
-    if (record) {
+    if (record)
+    {
         record->mType = type;
     }
     return record;
diff --git a/apps/esmtool/record.hpp b/apps/esmtool/record.hpp
index bbb3dd0988..ef90dd1310 100644
--- a/apps/esmtool/record.hpp
+++ b/apps/esmtool/record.hpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #define OPENMW_ESMTOOL_RECORD_H
 
 #include <string>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include <components/esm/records.hpp>
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ namespace EsmTool
         virtual void save(ESM::ESMWriter &esm) = 0;
         virtual void print() = 0;
 
-        static RecordBase *create(ESM::NAME type);
+        static std::unique_ptr<RecordBase> create(ESM::NAME type);
 
         // just make it a bit shorter
         template <class T>