diff --git a/doc/fixes36.2 b/doc/fixes36.2
index 7ecb9d247..3acebaa54 100644
--- a/doc/fixes36.2
+++ b/doc/fixes36.2
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ for configurations with 'long int' larger than 'int', lev_comp wrote some
 stinking cloud placed near water could kill underwater creatures
 applying--rather than wielding--a cursed polearm or weapon-tool didn't report
 	that it had become welded to hero's hand(s)
+the message when riding a steed into a pit was composed but not shown
 
 
 Fixes to Post-3.6.1 Problems that Were Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/src/trap.c b/src/trap.c
index d43117e43..d8d4018e7 100644
--- a/src/trap.c
+++ b/src/trap.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 3.6	trap.c	$NHDT-Date: 1543100476 2018/11/24 23:01:16 $  $NHDT-Branch: NetHack-3.6.2-beta01 $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.311 $ */
+/* NetHack 3.6	trap.c	$NHDT-Date: 1543515862 2018/11/29 18:24:22 $  $NHDT-Branch: NetHack-3.6.2-beta01 $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.312 $ */
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /*-Copyright (c) Robert Patrick Rankin, 2013. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -1185,6 +1185,7 @@ unsigned trflags;
         if (!Sokoban) {
             char verbbuf[BUFSZ];
 
+            *verbbuf = '\0';
             if (u.usteed) {
                 if ((trflags & RECURSIVETRAP) != 0)
                     Sprintf(verbbuf, "and %s fall",
@@ -1202,8 +1203,9 @@ unsigned trflags;
             } else {
                 Strcpy(verbbuf,
                        !plunged ? "fall" : (Flying ? "dive" : "plunge"));
-                You("%s into %s pit!", verbbuf, a_your[trap->madeby_u]);
             }
+            if (*verbbuf)
+                You("%s into %s pit!", verbbuf, a_your[trap->madeby_u]);
         }
         /* wumpus reference */
         if (Role_if(PM_RANGER) && !trap->madeby_u && !trap->once