diff --git a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
index d2423a075..713537929 100644
--- a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
@@ -1346,6 +1346,8 @@ if polymorphing a potion turned it into oil, dipping potions produced oil
 	set of the original potion's age (turn it was created) and could burn
 	for an arbitrarily long time if applied; conversely, polymophing oil
 	into non-oil kept its relative age (no noticeable effect though)
+an engulfer capable of passing through iron bars could do so even when hero
+	was engulfed
 
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x General Problems Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index cfc773a3e..6e9c8ae47 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -1873,7 +1873,11 @@ mon_allowflags(struct monst* mtmp)
         allowflags |= OPENDOOR;
     if (can_unlock)
         allowflags |= UNLOCKDOOR;
-    if (passes_bars(mtmp->data))
+    if (passes_bars(mtmp->data)
+        /* restrict engulfer or holder who might try to pass iron bars while
+           carrying hero; accept small subset for poly'd hero passes_bars() */
+        && (mtmp != u.ustuck || (unsolid(gy.youmonst.data)
+                                 || verysmall(gy.youmonst.data))))
         allowflags |= ALLOW_BARS;
 #if 0   /* can't do this here; leave it for mfndpos() */
     if (is_displacer(mtmp->data))