diff --git a/src/spell.c b/src/spell.c
index 71b60c80c..3ff322dc8 100644
--- a/src/spell.c
+++ b/src/spell.c
@@ -1656,9 +1656,7 @@ spellsortmenu(void)
         if (i == SORTRETAINORDER) {
             let = 'z'; /* assumes fewer than 26 sort choices... */
             /* separate final choice from others with a blank line */
-            any.a_int = 0;
-            add_menu(tmpwin, &nul_glyphinfo, &any, 0, 0,
-                     ATR_NONE, clr, "", MENU_ITEMFLAGS_NONE);
+            add_menu_str(tmpwin, "");
         } else {
             let = 'a' + i;
         }
diff --git a/src/weapon.c b/src/weapon.c
index 87f2eba5d..93436aef7 100644
--- a/src/weapon.c
+++ b/src/weapon.c
@@ -1195,25 +1195,21 @@ enhance_weapon_skill(void)
         /* start with a legend if any entries will be annotated
            with "*" or "#" below */
         if (eventually_advance > 0 || maxxed_cnt > 0) {
-            any = cg.zeroany;
             if (eventually_advance > 0) {
                 Sprintf(buf, "(Skill%s flagged by \"*\" may be enhanced %s.)",
                         plur(eventually_advance),
                         (u.ulevel < MAXULEV)
                             ? "when you're more experienced"
                             : "if skill slots become available");
-                add_menu(win, &nul_glyphinfo, &any, 0, 0,
-                         ATR_NONE, clr, buf, MENU_ITEMFLAGS_NONE);
+                add_menu_str(win, buf);
             }
             if (maxxed_cnt > 0) {
                 Sprintf(buf,
                  "(Skill%s flagged by \"#\" cannot be enhanced any further.)",
                         plur(maxxed_cnt));
-                add_menu(win, &nul_glyphinfo, &any, 0, 0,
-                         ATR_NONE, clr, buf, MENU_ITEMFLAGS_NONE);
+                add_menu_str(win, buf);
             }
-            add_menu(win, &nul_glyphinfo, &any, 0, 0,
-                     ATR_NONE, clr, "", MENU_ITEMFLAGS_NONE);
+            add_menu_str(win, "");
         }
 
         /* List the skills, making ones that could be advanced