diff --git a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
index c648fd898..a4bdf6e2d 100644
--- a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
@@ -1854,6 +1854,10 @@ debug fuzzer was triggering out of bounds array access in loseexp() if
 	levels and restored those all the way to level 30; introducing an
 	assert(u.ulevel < MAXULEV) changed bounds issue to assertion failure
 strength less than 25 was unintentionally being capped at 18/07
+if an amulet of flying gets stolen while hero is over lava without other
+	protection against lava, it will be destroyed even though it isn't
+	flammable, then attempting to format it for messages will trigger an
+	impossible warning about "glorkum", then a crash occurs
 
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x Platform and/or Interface Problems Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/src/steal.c b/src/steal.c
index 29999de41..80d33ab3d 100644
--- a/src/steal.c
+++ b/src/steal.c
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ int
 steal(struct monst* mtmp, char* objnambuf)
 {
     struct obj *otmp;
+    char Monnambuf[BUFSZ];
     int tmp, could_petrify, armordelay, olddelay, icnt,
         named = 0, retrycnt = 0;
     boolean monkey_business, /* true iff an animal is doing the thievery */
@@ -394,6 +395,13 @@ steal(struct monst* mtmp, char* objnambuf)
     if (otmp->o_id == gs.stealoid)
         return 0;
 
+    /* stealing a worn item might drop hero into water or lava where
+       teleporting to safety could result in a previously visible thief
+       no longer being visible; remember the name in order to avoid "It"
+       in the eventual "<Monnam> stole <item>" message; (the name might
+       already be "It"; if so, that's ok) */
+    Strcpy(Monnambuf, Monnam(mtmp));
+
     if (otmp->otyp == BOULDER && !throws_rocks(mtmp->data)) {
         if (!retrycnt++)
             goto retry;
@@ -420,7 +428,7 @@ steal(struct monst* mtmp, char* objnambuf)
             static const char *const how[] = { "steal", "snatch", "grab",
                                                "take" };
  cant_take:
-            pline("%s tries to %s %s%s but gives up.", Monnam(mtmp),
+            pline("%s tries to %s %s%s but gives up.", Monnambuf,
                   ROLL_FROM(how),
                   (otmp->owornmask & W_ARMOR) ? "your " : "",
                   (otmp->owornmask & W_ARMOR) ? equipname(otmp)
@@ -474,7 +482,7 @@ steal(struct monst* mtmp, char* objnambuf)
                 slowly = (armordelay >= 1 || gm.multi < 0);
                 if (flags.female)
                     urgent_pline("%s charms you.  You gladly %s your %s.",
-                                 !seen ? "She" : Monnam(mtmp),
+                                 !seen ? "She" : Monnambuf,
                                  curssv ? "let her take"
                                  : !slowly ? "hand over"
                                    : was_doffing ? "continue removing"
@@ -523,7 +531,7 @@ steal(struct monst* mtmp, char* objnambuf)
         subfrombill(otmp, shop_keeper(*u.ushops));
     freeinv(otmp);
     /* if attached ball was taken, uball and uchain are now Null */
-    urgent_pline("%s%s stole %s.", named ? "She" : Monnam(mtmp),
+    urgent_pline("%s%s stole %s.", named ? "She" : Monnambuf,
                  (was_punished && !Punished) ? " removed your chain and" : "",
                  doname(otmp));
     (void) encumber_msg();
diff --git a/src/trap.c b/src/trap.c
index 5e46a03b6..321a38798 100644
--- a/src/trap.c
+++ b/src/trap.c
@@ -6516,6 +6516,7 @@ lava_effects(void)
 {
     register struct obj *obj, *obj2;
     boolean usurvive, boil_away;
+    unsigned protect_oid = 0;
     int burncount = 0, burnmesgcount = 0;
     int dmg = d(6, 6); /* only applicable for water walking */
 
@@ -6539,14 +6540,34 @@ lava_effects(void)
      * that player causing hangup at --More-- won't get an
      * emergency save file created before item destruction.
      */
-    if (!usurvive)
-        for (obj = gi.invent; obj; obj = obj->nobj)
+    if (!usurvive) {
+        for (obj = gi.invent; obj; obj = obj->nobj) {
+            if (obj->in_use) { /* remove_worn_item() sets in_use */
+                /* one item can be protected from burning up [accommodates
+                   steal(AMULET_OF_FLYING) -> remove_worn_item() -> drop
+                   into lava (which happens before item is transferred
+                   from invent to thief->minvent)]; item will still be in
+                   inventory when we return to caller or save bones (or
+                   perform hangup save if that occurs) */
+                if (!protect_oid) {
+                    protect_oid = obj->o_id;
+                    obj->in_use = 0;
+                } else {
+                    impossible(
+                     "lava_effects: '%s' (#%u) is already in use; so is #%u.",
+                               simpleonames(obj), obj->o_id, protect_oid);
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+            /* set obj->in_use for items which will be destroyed below */
             if ((is_organic(obj) || obj->oclass == POTION_CLASS)
                 && !obj->oerodeproof
                 && objects[obj->otyp].oc_oprop != FIRE_RES
                 && obj->otyp != SCR_FIRE && obj->otyp != SPE_FIREBALL
                 && !obj_resists(obj, 0, 0)) /* for invocation items */
                 obj->in_use = 1;
+        }
+    }
 
     /* Check whether we should burn away boots *first* so we know whether to
      * make the player sink into the lava. Assumption: water walking only
@@ -6554,7 +6575,7 @@ lava_effects(void)
      * (3.7: that assumption is no longer true, but having boots be the first
      * thing to come into contact with lava makes sense.)
      */
-    if (uarmf && is_organic(uarmf) && !uarmf->oerodeproof) {
+    if (uarmf && uarmf->in_use) {
         obj = uarmf;
         pline("%s into flame!", Yobjnam2(obj, "burst"));
         ++burnmesgcount;
@@ -6589,7 +6610,9 @@ lava_effects(void)
         for (obj = gi.invent; obj; obj = obj2) {
             obj2 = obj->nobj;
             /* above, we set in_use for objects which are to be destroyed */
-            if (obj->otyp == SPE_BOOK_OF_THE_DEAD && !Blind) {
+            if (obj->o_id == protect_oid) {
+                ; /* skip protected item; caller expects to retain access */
+            } else if (obj->otyp == SPE_BOOK_OF_THE_DEAD && !Blind) {
                 if (usurvive)
                     pline("%s glows a strange %s, but remains intact.",
                           The(xname(obj)), hcolor("dark red"));