diff --git a/src/engrave.c b/src/engrave.c
index 5926a4dd2..6c0d3a41c 100644
--- a/src/engrave.c
+++ b/src/engrave.c
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "hack.h"
 
 static int stylus_ok(struct obj *);
+static boolean u_can_engrave(void);
 static int engrave(void);
 static const char *blengr(void);
 
@@ -444,6 +445,42 @@ stylus_ok(struct obj *obj)
     return GETOBJ_EXCLUDE;
 }
 
+/* can hero engrave at all (at their location)? */
+static boolean
+u_can_engrave(void)
+{
+    if (u.uswallow) {
+        if (is_animal(u.ustuck->data)) {
+            pline("What would you write?  \"Jonah was here\"?");
+            return FALSE;
+        } else if (is_whirly(u.ustuck->data)) {
+            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, FALSE);
+            return FALSE;
+        }
+    } else if (is_lava(u.ux, u.uy)) {
+        You_cant("write on the %s!", surface(u.ux, u.uy));
+        return FALSE;
+    } else if (is_pool(u.ux, u.uy) || IS_FOUNTAIN(levl[u.ux][u.uy].typ)) {
+        You_cant("write on the %s!", surface(u.ux, u.uy));
+        return FALSE;
+    }
+    if (Is_airlevel(&u.uz) || Is_waterlevel(&u.uz) /* in bubble */) {
+        You_cant("write in thin air!");
+        return FALSE;
+    } else if (!accessible(u.ux, u.uy)) {
+        /* stone, tree, wall, secret corridor, pool, lava, bars */
+        You_cant("write here.");
+        return FALSE;
+    }
+    if (cantwield(g.youmonst.data)) {
+        You_cant("even hold anything!");
+        return FALSE;
+    }
+    if (check_capacity((char *) 0))
+        return FALSE;
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
 /* Mohs' Hardness Scale:
  *  1 - Talc             6 - Orthoclase
  *  2 - Gypsum           7 - Quartz
@@ -511,37 +548,11 @@ doengrave(void)
         type = ENGR_BLOOD;
 
     /* Can the adventurer engrave at all? */
+    if (!u_can_engrave())
+        return 0;
 
-    if (u.uswallow) {
-        if (is_animal(u.ustuck->data)) {
-            pline("What would you write?  \"Jonah was here\"?");
-            return 0;
-        } else if (is_whirly(u.ustuck->data)) {
-            cant_reach_floor(u.ux, u.uy, FALSE, FALSE);
-            return 0;
-        } else
-            jello = TRUE;
-    } else if (is_lava(u.ux, u.uy)) {
-        You_cant("write on the %s!", surface(u.ux, u.uy));
-        return 0;
-    } else if (is_pool(u.ux, u.uy) || IS_FOUNTAIN(levl[u.ux][u.uy].typ)) {
-        You_cant("write on the %s!", surface(u.ux, u.uy));
-        return 0;
-    }
-    if (Is_airlevel(&u.uz) || Is_waterlevel(&u.uz) /* in bubble */) {
-        You_cant("write in thin air!");
-        return 0;
-    } else if (!accessible(u.ux, u.uy)) {
-        /* stone, tree, wall, secret corridor, pool, lava, bars */
-        You_cant("write here.");
-        return 0;
-    }
-    if (cantwield(g.youmonst.data)) {
-        You_cant("even hold anything!");
-        return 0;
-    }
-    if (check_capacity((char *) 0))
-        return 0;
+    jello = (u.uswallow && !(is_animal(u.ustuck->data)
+                             || is_whirly(u.ustuck->data)));
 
     /* One may write with finger, or weapon, or wand, or..., or...
      * Edited by GAN 10/20/86 so as not to change weapon wielded.