diff --git a/include/patchlevel.h b/include/patchlevel.h
index c2435f23a..070c25f4f 100644
--- a/include/patchlevel.h
+++ b/include/patchlevel.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  * Incrementing EDITLEVEL can be used to force invalidation of old bones
  * and save files.
  */
-#define EDITLEVEL 138
+#define EDITLEVEL 139
 
 /*
  * Development status possibilities.
diff --git a/src/restore.c b/src/restore.c
index ac68c879e..7cb18b168 100644
--- a/src/restore.c
+++ b/src/restore.c
@@ -351,6 +351,8 @@ restmon(NHFILE *nhfp, struct monst *mtmp)
         if (buflen > 0) {
             newedog(mtmp);
             Sfi_edog(nhfp, EDOG(mtmp), "monst-edog");
+	    /* save or bones held a relative time */
+	    relative_time_to_moves(&EDOG(mtmp)->droptime);
             /* sanity check to prevent rn2(0) */
            if (EDOG(mtmp)->apport <= 0) {
                EDOG(mtmp)->apport = 1;
diff --git a/src/save.c b/src/save.c
index e2c0ac5f9..3937746cd 100644
--- a/src/save.c
+++ b/src/save.c
@@ -853,7 +853,10 @@ savemon(NHFILE *nhfp, struct monst *mtmp)
         buflen = EDOG(mtmp) ? (int) sizeof (struct edog) : 0;
         Sfo_int(nhfp, &buflen, "monst-edog_length");
         if (buflen > 0) {
+	    /* we only store relative times in save and bones */
+	    moves_to_relative_time(&EDOG(mtmp)->droptime);
             Sfo_edog(nhfp, EDOG(mtmp), "monst-edog");
+	    relative_time_to_moves(&EDOG(mtmp)->droptime);
         }
         buflen = EBONES(mtmp) ? (int) sizeof (struct ebones) : 0;
         Sfo_int(nhfp, &buflen, "monst-ebones_length");