diff --git a/src/mkobj.c b/src/mkobj.c
index 3c1d21ad9..d94458e80 100644
--- a/src/mkobj.c
+++ b/src/mkobj.c
@@ -2052,8 +2052,7 @@ save_mtraits(struct obj *obj, struct monst *mtmp)
 
         *mtmp2 = *mtmp;
         mtmp2->mextra = (struct mextra *) 0;
-        if (mtmp->data)
-            mtmp2->mnum = monsndx(mtmp->data);
+        mtmp2->mnum = monsndx(mtmp->data);
         /* invalidate pointers */
         /* m_id is needed to know if this is a revived quest leader */
         /* but m_id must be cleared when loading bones */