diff --git a/src/mhitm.c b/src/mhitm.c
index 5bf713dc5..057805e55 100644
--- a/src/mhitm.c
+++ b/src/mhitm.c
@@ -689,6 +689,8 @@ mdamagem(magr, mdef, mattk)
 		if (vis)
 		    pline("%s is %s!", Monnam(mdef),
 			  mdef->data == &mons[PM_WATER_ELEMENTAL] ? "boiling" :
+			  mdef->data == &mons[PM_FLAMING_SPHERE] ?
+				"already on fire" :
 			  mattk->aatyp == AT_HUGS ?
 				"being roasted" : "on fire");
 		if (pd == &mons[PM_STRAW_GOLEM] ||
diff --git a/src/mhitu.c b/src/mhitu.c
index d5ba16d6b..a7625d039 100644
--- a/src/mhitu.c
+++ b/src/mhitu.c
@@ -917,6 +917,8 @@ hitmu(mtmp, mattk)
 		    pline("You're %s!",
 			  youmonst.data == &mons[PM_WATER_ELEMENTAL] ?
 				"boiling" :
+			  youmonst.data == &mons[PM_FLAMING_SPHERE] ?
+				"already on fire" :
 			  mattk->aatyp == AT_HUGS ? "being roasted" :
 			  "on fire");
 		    if (youmonst.data == &mons[PM_STRAW_GOLEM] ||
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index f0dd789d0..6f7710033 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -1252,6 +1252,8 @@ register struct attack *mattk;
 		if (!Blind)
 		    pline("%s is %s!", Monnam(mdef),
 			  mdef->data == &mons[PM_WATER_ELEMENTAL] ? "boiling" :
+			  mdef->data == &mons[PM_FLAMING_SPHERE] ?
+				"already on fire" :
 			  mattk->aatyp == AT_HUGS ?
 				"being roasted" : "on fire");
 		if (pd == &mons[PM_STRAW_GOLEM] ||