diff --git a/doc/fixes34.4 b/doc/fixes34.4
index c81ea3951..eeb2d2286 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.4
+++ b/doc/fixes34.4
@@ -297,8 +297,7 @@ can't throw if poly'd into form which lacks hands
 can't eat an artifact you're unable to touch
 attempting to kick beyond map edge performed an out of array bounds memory
 	access; symptom seen was "show_glyph: bad pos" warning when blind
-attempting to engrave with an empty wand should use a turn even when hero is
-	levitating--trying and failing to wrest a charge takes time
+attempting to engrave with an empty wand should always use a turn
 don't access freed memory after engraving "wrests one last charnge" from wand
 
 
diff --git a/src/engrave.c b/src/engrave.c
index a02320ca1..cbfd5280a 100644
--- a/src/engrave.c
+++ b/src/engrave.c
@@ -774,8 +774,14 @@ doengrave()
 		} else { /* end if zappable */
 		    /* failing to wrest one last charge takes time */
 		    ptext = FALSE;	/* use "early exit" below, return 1 */
-		    /* cancelled wand turns to dust unless hero can't write */
-		    if (otmp->spe < 0 && can_reach_floor(TRUE)) zapwand = TRUE;
+		    /* give feedback here if we won't be getting the
+		      "can't reach floor" message below */
+		    if (can_reach_floor(TRUE)) {
+			/* cancelled wand turns to dust */
+			if (otmp->spe < 0) zapwand = TRUE;
+			/* empty wand just doesn't write */
+			else pline_The("wand is too worn out to engrave.");
+		    }
 		}
 		break;