diff --git a/doc/fixes34.1 b/doc/fixes34.1
index 78dce26d1..66d5faf21 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.1
+++ b/doc/fixes34.1
@@ -195,6 +195,7 @@ Archeologists suffer same alignment penalty for statue destruction by
 being unable to see a vault guard doesn't prevent him from arriving
 in town, secret doors should be called "wall", not "fountain"
 in town, watch should not allow trees to be cut down
+cancel chat direction cancels the chat
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/src/sounds.c b/src/sounds.c
index 459019d33..32f83c9ce 100644
--- a/src/sounds.c
+++ b/src/sounds.c
@@ -860,7 +860,10 @@ dochat()
 	return(1);
     }
 
-    (void) getdir("Talk to whom? (in what direction)");
+    if (!getdir("Talk to whom? (in what direction)")) {
+	/* decided not to chat */
+	return(0);
+    }
 
 #ifdef STEED
     if (u.usteed && u.dz > 0)
diff --git a/src/spell.c b/src/spell.c
index 4c17da74c..c30cc75bc 100644
--- a/src/spell.c
+++ b/src/spell.c
@@ -814,7 +814,10 @@ boolean atme;
 	case SPE_STONE_TO_FLESH:
 		if (!(objects[pseudo->otyp].oc_dir == NODIR)) {
 			if (atme) u.dx = u.dy = u.dz = 0;
-			else (void) getdir((char *)0);
+			else if (!getdir((char *)0)) {
+			    /* getdir cancelled, re-use previous direction */
+			    pline_The("magical energy is released!");
+			}
 			if(!u.dx && !u.dy && !u.dz) {
 			    if ((damage = zapyourself(pseudo, TRUE)) != 0) {
 				char buf[BUFSZ];