diff --git a/doc/fixes34.4 b/doc/fixes34.4
index 0e135111c..90853cb8e 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.4
+++ b/doc/fixes34.4
@@ -142,6 +142,8 @@ when adding an item to inventory, try to stack it with the quiver slot
 cockatrice meat has a distinct flavor to some
 wish request for "<something> armor" will match item named "<something> mail"
 Fire Brand and Frost Brand have a chance to avoid taking rust damage
+support ^R (and ^L in numpad mode) to request display repaint during direction
+	choosing and location choosing prompting modes
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific New Features
diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 4b1e0fd39..2cea07cca 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -155,12 +155,13 @@ E boolean NDECL(status_hilite_menu);
 
 /* ### cmd.c ### */
 
+E boolean FDECL(redraw_cmd, (CHAR_P));
 #ifdef USE_TRAMPOLI
 E int NDECL(doextcmd);
 E int NDECL(domonability);
 E int NDECL(doprev_message);
 E int NDECL(timed_occupation);
-E int NDECL(wiz_attributes);
+E int NDECL(doattributes);
 E int NDECL(enter_explore_mode);
 # ifdef WIZARD
 E int NDECL(wiz_detect);
diff --git a/src/cmd.c b/src/cmd.c
index 7282edad5..de8ee9998 100644
--- a/src/cmd.c
+++ b/src/cmd.c
@@ -1301,6 +1301,7 @@ minimal_enlightenment()
 	return (n != -1);
 }
 
+/* ^X command */
 STATIC_PTR int
 doattributes()
 {
@@ -1654,6 +1655,13 @@ add_debug_extended_commands()
 	}
 }
 
+/* decide whether a character (user input keystroke) requests screen repaint */
+boolean
+redraw_cmd(c)
+char c;
+{
+    return (c == C('r') || (iflags.num_pad && c == C('l')));
+}
 
 static const char template[] = "%-18s %4ld  %6ld";
 static const char count_str[] = "                   count  bytes";
@@ -2171,7 +2179,7 @@ const char *s;
 	    dirsym = yn_function((s && *s != '^') ? s : "In what direction?",
 					(char *)0, '\0');
 
-	if (dirsym == C('r')) {		/* ^R */
+	if (redraw_cmd(dirsym)) {		/* ^R */
 	    docrt();		/* redraw */
 	    goto retry;
 	}
diff --git a/src/do_name.c b/src/do_name.c
index 0f6e7a1a7..ee6ae0541 100644
--- a/src/do_name.c
+++ b/src/do_name.c
@@ -23,11 +23,6 @@ nextmbuf()
 	return bufs[bufidx];
 }
 
-/* same definition as in cmd.c */
-#ifndef C
-#define C(a) ((a) & 0x1f)	/* ^a */
-#endif
-
 /* the response for '?' help request in getpos() */
 STATIC_OVL void
 getpos_help(force, goal)
@@ -71,6 +66,7 @@ const char *goal;
     const char *sdp;
     if(iflags.num_pad) sdp = ndir; else sdp = sdir;	/* DICE workaround */
 
+    if (!goal) goal = "desired location";
     if (flags.verbose) {
 	pline("(For instructions type a ?)");
 	msg_given = TRUE;
@@ -80,8 +76,8 @@ const char *goal;
 #ifdef CLIPPING
     cliparound(cx, cy);
 #endif
-    curs(WIN_MAP, cx,cy);
     flush_screen(0);
+    curs(WIN_MAP, cx, cy);
 #ifdef MAC
     lock_mouse_cursor(TRUE);
 #endif
@@ -139,10 +135,14 @@ const char *goal;
 	    goto nxtc;
 	}
 
-	if(c == '?'){
-	    getpos_help(force, goal);
-	} else if (c == C('r')) {		/* ^R */
-	    docrt();		/* redraw */
+	if (c == '?' || redraw_cmd(c)) {
+	    if (c == '?')
+		getpos_help(force, goal);
+	    else		/* ^R */
+		docrt();	/* redraw */
+	    /* update message window to reflect that we're still targetting */
+	    pline("Move cursor to %s:", goal);
+	    msg_given = TRUE;
 	} else {
 	    if (!index(quitchars, c)) {
 		char matching[MAXPCHARS];
@@ -197,8 +197,8 @@ const char *goal;
 #ifdef CLIPPING
 	cliparound(cx, cy);
 #endif
-	curs(WIN_MAP,cx,cy);
 	flush_screen(0);
+	curs(WIN_MAP, cx, cy);
     }
 #ifdef MAC
     lock_mouse_cursor(FALSE);