diff --git a/src/monmove.c b/src/monmove.c
index 65a9121d6..0e70a2c62 100644
--- a/src/monmove.c
+++ b/src/monmove.c
@@ -859,10 +859,10 @@ mon_would_take_item(struct monst *mtmp, struct obj *otmp)
     if (likes_gems(mtmp->data) && otmp->oclass == GEM_CLASS
         && objects[otmp->otyp].oc_material != MINERAL && pctload < 85)
         return TRUE;
-    if (likes_objs(mtmp->data) && index(practical, otmp->oclass)
+    if (likes_objs(mtmp->data) && strchr(practical, otmp->oclass)
         && pctload < 75)
         return TRUE;
-    if (likes_magic(mtmp->data) && index(magical, otmp->oclass)
+    if (likes_magic(mtmp->data) && strchr(magical, otmp->oclass)
         && pctload < 85)
         return TRUE;
     if (throws_rocks(mtmp->data) && otmp->otyp == BOULDER