We study the application of a standard model checker tool, Spin, to the well-known problem of computing a may-alias relation for a C program. A precise may-alias relation can significantly improve code optimization, but in general it may be computationally too expensive. We show that, at least in the case of intraprocedural alias analysis, a model checking tool has a great potential for precision and efficiency. For instance, we can easily deal, with good precision, with features such as

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... arithmetic, arrays, structures and dynamic memory allocation. At the very least, the great flexibility allowed in defining the may-alias relation, should make it easier to experiment and to examine the connections among the accuracy of an alias analysis and the optimizations available in the various compilation phases.