diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index 5636c5ed8..45f6b3537 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -2637,7 +2637,7 @@ struct obj *obj;	/* wand or spell */
 	case SPE_STONE_TO_FLESH:
 	    if (Is_airlevel(&u.uz) || Is_waterlevel(&u.uz) ||
 		     Underwater || (Is_qstart(&u.uz) && u.dz < 0)) {
-		pline(nothing_happens);
+		pline("%s", nothing_happens);
 	    } else if (u.dz < 0) {	/* we should do more... */
 		pline("Blood drips on your %s.", body_part(FACE));
 	    } else if (u.dz > 0 && !OBJ_AT(u.ux, u.uy)) {