diff --git a/doc/lua.adoc b/doc/lua.adoc
index 8ca4fd9c1..3d03342b8 100644
--- a/doc/lua.adoc
+++ b/doc/lua.adoc
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ Set debugging flags.
 | mongen           | boolean | Do monsters generate
 | hunger           | boolean | Does hero's hunger-state increase
 | overwrite_stairs | boolean | Allow special-file commands overwrite the stairs
+| prevent_pline    | boolean | Prevent messages going out to the UI
 |===
 
 Example:
diff --git a/include/flag.h b/include/flag.h
index 59ef02c04..dbcccd312 100644
--- a/include/flag.h
+++ b/include/flag.h
@@ -293,6 +293,7 @@ struct instance_flags {
     boolean debug_overwrite_stairs; /* debug: allow overwriting stairs */
     boolean debug_mongen;  /* debug: prevent monster generation */
     boolean debug_hunger;  /* debug: prevent hunger */
+    boolean debug_prevent_pline;  /* debug: prevent pline going to UI */
     boolean mon_polycontrol; /* debug: control monster polymorphs */
     boolean mon_telecontrol; /* debug: control monster teleports */
     boolean in_dumplog;    /* doing the dumplog right now? */
diff --git a/src/nhlua.c b/src/nhlua.c
index 092c42e60..96970f73c 100644
--- a/src/nhlua.c
+++ b/src/nhlua.c
@@ -1494,6 +1494,12 @@ nhl_debug_flags(lua_State *L)
         iflags.debug_overwrite_stairs = (boolean) val;
     }
 
+    /* prevent pline going out to the UI */
+    val = get_table_boolean_opt(L, "prevent_pline", -1);
+    if (val != -1) {
+        iflags.debug_prevent_pline = (boolean) val;
+    }
+
     return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/pline.c b/src/pline.c
index 48f8fc89f..f79cc6631 100644
--- a/src/pline.c
+++ b/src/pline.c
@@ -66,6 +66,9 @@ putmesg(const char *line)
 {
     int attr = ATR_NONE;
 
+    if (iflags.debug_prevent_pline)
+        return;
+
     if ((gp.pline_flags & URGENT_MESSAGE) != 0
         && (windowprocs.wincap2 & WC2_URGENT_MESG) != 0)
         attr |= ATR_URGENT;
diff --git a/test/test_obj.lua b/test/test_obj.lua
index 68ef9147b..1baad9832 100644
--- a/test/test_obj.lua
+++ b/test/test_obj.lua
@@ -101,3 +101,46 @@ for i = nhc.FIRST_OBJECT, nhc.LAST_OBJECT do
 
    end
 end
+
+
+function test_use_item(action, itemname, otherkeys)
+   nh.debug_flags({ prevent_pline = true });
+   u.clear_inventory();
+   u.giveobj(obj.new(itemname));
+   local o = u.inventory;
+   local ot = o:totable();
+
+   nh.pushkey(action);
+   nh.pushkey(ot.invlet);
+
+   if (otherkeys ~= nil and type(otherkeys) == "string") then
+      nh.pushkey(otherkeys);
+   end
+
+   nh.doturn();
+   nh.debug_flags({ prevent_pline = false });
+end
+
+nh.parse_config("OPTIONS=number_pad:0");
+nh.parse_config("OPTIONS=!timed_delay");
+
+-- apply
+test_use_item("a", "uncursed tin whistle");
+test_use_item("a", "cursed tin whistle");
+test_use_item("a", "blessed magic whistle");
+
+test_use_item("a", "uncursed camera", "h");
+test_use_item("a", "uncursed camera", "j");
+test_use_item("a", "uncursed camera", "k");
+test_use_item("a", "blessed camera", ">");
+test_use_item("a", "+0 blessed camera", ">");
+
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", "h");
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", "j");
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", ".");
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", ">");
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", "<");
+obj.new("corpse"):placeobj(u.ux, u.uy);
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", ">");
+obj.new("statue"):placeobj(u.ux, u.uy);
+test_use_item("a", "blessed stethoscope", ">");