diff --git a/src/exper.c b/src/exper.c
index 06456e0c0..675375ebe 100644
--- a/src/exper.c
+++ b/src/exper.c
@@ -293,9 +293,11 @@ boolean incr; /* true iff via incremental experience growth */
             u.uexp = newuexp(u.ulevel);
         }
         ++u.ulevel;
+        pline("Welcome %sto experience level %d.",
+              u.ulevelmax < u.ulevel ? "" : "back ",
+              u.ulevel);
         if (u.ulevelmax < u.ulevel)
             u.ulevelmax = u.ulevel;
-        pline("Welcome to experience level %d.", u.ulevel);
         adjabil(u.ulevel - 1, u.ulevel); /* give new intrinsics */
         reset_rndmonst(NON_PM);          /* new monster selection */
     }
diff --git a/src/potion.c b/src/potion.c
index 4925b27b0..5daa9fbcc 100644
--- a/src/potion.c
+++ b/src/potion.c
@@ -577,6 +577,18 @@ register struct obj *otmp;
                 if (++i >= A_MAX)
                     i = 0;
             }
+
+            /* when using the potion (not the spell) also restore lost levels,
+               to make the potion more worth keeping around for players with
+               the spell or with a unihorn; this is better than full healing
+               in that it can restore all of them, not just half, and a
+               blessed potion restores them all at once */
+            if (otmp->otyp == POT_RESTORE_ABILITY &&
+                u.ulevel < u.ulevelmax) {
+                do {
+                    pluslvl(FALSE);
+                } while (u.ulevel < u.ulevelmax && otmp->blessed);
+            }
         }
         break;
     case POT_HALLUCINATION: