diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index cc0d6bab8..0623986a2 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -3811,7 +3811,7 @@ normal_shape(struct monst *mon)
     if (mcham >= LOW_PM) {
         unsigned mcan = mon->mcan;
 
-        (void) newcham(mon, &mons[mcham], NO_NC_FLAGS);
+        (void) newcham(mon, &mons[mcham], NC_SHOW_MSG);
         mon->cham = NON_PM;
         /* newcham() may uncancel a polymorphing monster; override that */
         if (mcan)
diff --git a/src/muse.c b/src/muse.c
index 10e453a1f..9d36506e7 100644
--- a/src/muse.c
+++ b/src/muse.c
@@ -2143,7 +2143,8 @@ use_misc(struct monst* mtmp)
         return 2;
     case MUSE_WAN_POLYMORPH:
         mzapwand(mtmp, otmp, TRUE);
-        (void) newcham(mtmp, muse_newcham_mon(mtmp), NC_VIA_WAND_OR_SPELL);
+        (void) newcham(mtmp, muse_newcham_mon(mtmp),
+                       NC_VIA_WAND_OR_SPELL | NC_SHOW_MSG);
         if (oseen)
             makeknown(WAN_POLYMORPH);
         return 2;
@@ -2152,7 +2153,7 @@ use_misc(struct monst* mtmp)
         m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
         if (vismon)
             pline("%s suddenly mutates!", Monnam(mtmp));
-        (void) newcham(mtmp, muse_newcham_mon(mtmp), NO_NC_FLAGS);
+        (void) newcham(mtmp, muse_newcham_mon(mtmp), NC_SHOW_MSG);
         if (oseen)
             makeknown(POT_POLYMORPH);
         return 2;
@@ -2179,7 +2180,7 @@ use_misc(struct monst* mtmp)
             worm_move(mtmp);
         newsym(g.trapx, g.trapy);
 
-        (void) newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0, NO_NC_FLAGS);
+        (void) newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0, NC_SHOW_MSG);
         return 2;
     case MUSE_BAG:
         return mloot_container(mtmp, otmp, vismon);
diff --git a/src/trap.c b/src/trap.c
index 66ae64e03..bfe59d98e 100644
--- a/src/trap.c
+++ b/src/trap.c
@@ -2166,8 +2166,7 @@ trapeffect_poly_trap(
         if (resists_magm(mtmp)) {
             shieldeff(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my);
         } else if (!resist(mtmp, WAND_CLASS, 0, NOTELL)) {
-            (void) newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0,
-                           in_sight ? NC_SHOW_MSG : NO_NC_FLAGS);
+            (void) newcham(mtmp, (struct permonst *) 0, NC_SHOW_MSG);
             if (in_sight)
                 seetrap(trap);
         }
@@ -2618,7 +2617,7 @@ steedintrap(struct trap* trap, struct obj* otmp)
         if (!resists_magm(steed) && !resist(steed, WAND_CLASS, 0, NOTELL)) {
             struct permonst *mdat = steed->data;
 
-            (void) newcham(steed, (struct permonst *) 0, NO_NC_FLAGS);
+            (void) newcham(steed, (struct permonst *) 0, NC_SHOW_MSG);
             if (!can_saddle(steed) || !can_ride(steed)) {
                 dismount_steed(DISMOUNT_POLY);
             } else {