diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index 8ae2d513c..3ac786dc7 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -4830,6 +4830,10 @@ zap_over_floor(xchar x, xchar y, int type, boolean *shopdamage,
     if (!exploding_wand_typ) {
         if (abs(type) < ZT_SPELL(0))
             zapverb = "bolt"; /* wand zap */
+        /* kludge check:
+           ZT_SPELL(ZT_FIRE) = ZT_SPELL(AD_FIRE-1) = 10+(2-1) = 11 */
+        else if (type == (ZT_SPELL(AD_FIRE - 1)))
+            yourzap = FALSE;  /* and leave zapverb as "blast" */
         else if (abs(type) < ZT_BREATH(0))
             zapverb = "spell";
     }