diff --git a/src/pray.c b/src/pray.c
index cc1a5d07a..034aa27eb 100644
--- a/src/pray.c
+++ b/src/pray.c
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "hack.h"
 
 static int prayer_done(void);
+static void maybe_turn_mon_iter(struct monst *);
 static struct obj *worst_cursed_item(void);
 static int in_trouble(void);
 static void fix_curse_trouble(struct obj *, const char *);
@@ -101,6 +102,11 @@ static const char *const godvoices[] = {
 #define on_shrine() ((levl[u.ux][u.uy].altarmask & AM_SHRINE) != 0)
 #define a_align(x, y) ((aligntyp) Amask2align(levl[x][y].altarmask & AM_MASK))
 
+/* used by turn undead iteration function; always reinitialized
+   before iterating that, so don't need to be globals */
+static int turn_undead_range;
+static int turn_undead_msg_cnt;
+
 /* critically low hit points if hp <= 5 or hp <= maxhp/N for some N */
 boolean
 critically_low_hp(
@@ -2247,14 +2253,73 @@ prayer_done(void) /* M. Stephenson (1.0.3b) */
     return 1;
 }
 
+/* iterable for undead turning by priest/knight */
+static void
+maybe_turn_mon_iter(struct monst *mtmp)
+{
+    /* 3.6.3: used to use cansee() here but the purpose is to prevent
+       #turn operating through walls, not to require that the hero be
+       able to see the target location */
+    if (!couldsee(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)
+        || mdistu(mtmp) > turn_undead_range)
+        return;
+
+    if (!mtmp->mpeaceful
+        && (is_undead(mtmp->data) || is_vampshifter(mtmp)
+            || (is_demon(mtmp->data) && (u.ulevel > (MAXULEV / 2))))) {
+        mtmp->msleeping = 0;
+        if (Confusion) {
+            if (!turn_undead_msg_cnt++)
+                pline("Unfortunately, your voice falters.");
+            mtmp->mflee = 0;
+            mtmp->mfrozen = 0;
+            mtmp->mcanmove = 1;
+        } else if (!resist(mtmp, '\0', 0, TELL)) {
+            int xlev = 6;
+
+            switch (mtmp->data->mlet) {
+                /* this is intentional, lichs are tougher
+                   than zombies. */
+            case S_LICH:
+                xlev += 2;
+                /*FALLTHRU*/
+            case S_GHOST:
+                xlev += 2;
+                /*FALLTHRU*/
+            case S_VAMPIRE:
+                xlev += 2;
+                /*FALLTHRU*/
+            case S_WRAITH:
+                xlev += 2;
+                /*FALLTHRU*/
+            case S_MUMMY:
+                xlev += 2;
+                /*FALLTHRU*/
+            case S_ZOMBIE:
+                if (u.ulevel >= xlev && !resist(mtmp, '\0', 0, NOTELL)) {
+                    if (u.ualign.type == A_CHAOTIC) {
+                        mtmp->mpeaceful = 1;
+                        set_malign(mtmp);
+                    } else { /* damn them */
+                        killed(mtmp);
+                    }
+                    break;
+                } /* else flee */
+                /*FALLTHRU*/
+            default:
+                monflee(mtmp, 0, FALSE, TRUE);
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /* #turn command */
 int
 doturn(void)
 {
     /* Knights & Priest(esse)s only please */
-    struct monst *mtmp, *mtmp2;
     const char *Gname;
-    int once, range, xlev;
 
     if (!Role_if(PM_CLERIC) && !Role_if(PM_KNIGHT)) {
         /* Try to use the "turn undead" spell. */
@@ -2299,68 +2364,11 @@ doturn(void)
     exercise(A_WIS, TRUE);
 
     /* note: does not perform unturn_dead() on victims' inventories */
-    range = BOLT_LIM + (u.ulevel / 5); /* 8 to 14 */
-    range *= range;
-    once = 0;
-    for (mtmp = fmon; mtmp; mtmp = mtmp2) {
-        mtmp2 = mtmp->nmon;
-        if (DEADMONSTER(mtmp))
-            continue;
-        /* 3.6.3: used to use cansee() here but the purpose is to prevent
-           #turn operating through walls, not to require that the hero be
-           able to see the target location */
-        if (!couldsee(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my)
-            || mdistu(mtmp) > range)
-            continue;
+    turn_undead_range = BOLT_LIM + (u.ulevel / 5); /* 8 to 14 */
+    turn_undead_range *= turn_undead_range;
+    turn_undead_msg_cnt = 0;
 
-        if (!mtmp->mpeaceful
-            && (is_undead(mtmp->data) || is_vampshifter(mtmp)
-                || (is_demon(mtmp->data) && (u.ulevel > (MAXULEV / 2))))) {
-            mtmp->msleeping = 0;
-            if (Confusion) {
-                if (!once++)
-                    pline("Unfortunately, your voice falters.");
-                mtmp->mflee = 0;
-                mtmp->mfrozen = 0;
-                mtmp->mcanmove = 1;
-            } else if (!resist(mtmp, '\0', 0, TELL)) {
-                xlev = 6;
-                switch (mtmp->data->mlet) {
-                /* this is intentional, lichs are tougher
-                   than zombies. */
-                case S_LICH:
-                    xlev += 2;
-                    /*FALLTHRU*/
-                case S_GHOST:
-                    xlev += 2;
-                    /*FALLTHRU*/
-                case S_VAMPIRE:
-                    xlev += 2;
-                    /*FALLTHRU*/
-                case S_WRAITH:
-                    xlev += 2;
-                    /*FALLTHRU*/
-                case S_MUMMY:
-                    xlev += 2;
-                    /*FALLTHRU*/
-                case S_ZOMBIE:
-                    if (u.ulevel >= xlev && !resist(mtmp, '\0', 0, NOTELL)) {
-                        if (u.ualign.type == A_CHAOTIC) {
-                            mtmp->mpeaceful = 1;
-                            set_malign(mtmp);
-                        } else { /* damn them */
-                            killed(mtmp);
-                        }
-                        break;
-                    } /* else flee */
-                /*FALLTHRU*/
-                default:
-                    monflee(mtmp, 0, FALSE, TRUE);
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    iter_mons(maybe_turn_mon_iter);
 
     /*
      *  There is no detrimental effect on self for successful #turn