diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 938adcb21..be1554b2e 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ extern boolean artifact_hit(struct monst *, struct monst *, struct obj *,
                             int *, int);
 extern int doinvoke(void);
 extern boolean finesse_ahriman(struct obj *);
-extern void arti_speak(struct obj *);
+extern int arti_speak(struct obj *);
 extern boolean artifact_light(struct obj *);
 extern long spec_m2(struct obj *);
 extern boolean artifact_has_invprop(struct obj *, uchar);
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index b1378b860..1501ebf0f 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -4181,8 +4181,9 @@ doapply(void)
         pline("Sorry, I don't know how to use that.");
         return ECMD_FAIL;
     }
-    if ((res & ECMD_TIME) && obj && obj->oartifact)
-        arti_speak(obj);
+    if (obj && obj->oartifact) {
+        res |= arti_speak(obj); /* sets ECMD_TIME bit if artifact speaks */
+    }
     return res;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/artifact.c b/src/artifact.c
index 5f56d9ecf..7a90b4119 100644
--- a/src/artifact.c
+++ b/src/artifact.c
@@ -1986,16 +1986,16 @@ artifact_light(struct obj *obj)
 }
 
 /* KMH -- Talking artifacts are finally implemented */
-void
+int
 arti_speak(struct obj *obj)
 {
-    register const struct artifact *oart = get_artifact(obj);
+    const struct artifact *oart = get_artifact(obj);
     const char *line;
     char buf[BUFSZ];
 
     /* Is this a speaking artifact? */
     if (!oart || !(oart->spfx & SPFX_SPEAK))
-        return;
+        return ECMD_OK; /* nothing happened */
 
     line = getrumor(bcsign(obj), buf, TRUE);
     if (!*line)
@@ -2003,7 +2003,7 @@ arti_speak(struct obj *obj)
     pline("%s:", Tobjnam(obj, "whisper"));
     SetVoice((struct monst *) 0, 0, 80, voice_talking_artifact);
     verbalize1(line);
-    return;
+    return ECMD_TIME;
 }
 
 boolean
diff --git a/src/wield.c b/src/wield.c
index c9b9ef89a..456911adc 100644
--- a/src/wield.c
+++ b/src/wield.c
@@ -230,7 +230,9 @@ ready_weapon(struct obj *wep)
         }
 
         /* KMH -- Talking artifacts are finally implemented */
-        arti_speak(wep);
+        if (wep && wep->oartifact) {
+            res |= arti_speak(wep); /* sets ECMD_TIME bit if artifact speaks */
+        }
 
         if (artifact_light(wep) && !wep->lamplit) {
             begin_burn(wep, FALSE);