diff --git a/src/write.c b/src/write.c
index e565d6fe1..924ce4519 100644
--- a/src/write.c
+++ b/src/write.c
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ dowrite(struct obj *pen)
     int first, last, i, deferred, deferralchance, real;
     boolean by_descr = FALSE;
     const char *typeword;
+    int spell_knowledge;
 
     if (nohands(gy.youmonst.data)) {
         You("need hands to be able to write!");
@@ -314,6 +315,10 @@ dowrite(struct obj *pen)
      * book type.  One has previously been read (and its effect
      * was evident) or been ID'd via scroll/spell/throne and it
      * will be on the discoveries list.
+     * Unknown spellbooks can also be written by name if the hero
+     * has fresh knowledge of the spell, or if the spell is almost
+     * forgotten and the hero is Lucky (with a greater chance than
+     * if the spell is unknown or forgotten).
      * (Previous versions allowed scrolls and books to be written
      * by type name if they were on the discoveries list via being
      * given a user-assigned name, even though doing the latter
@@ -332,12 +337,20 @@ dowrite(struct obj *pen)
      * Normal requirements can be overridden if hero is Lucky.
      */
 
+    if (paper->oclass == SPBOOK_CLASS) {
+        spell_knowledge = known_spell(new_obj->otyp);
+    } else {
+        spell_knowledge = spe_Unknown;
+    }
     /* if known, then either by-name or by-descr works */
     if (!objects[new_obj->otyp].oc_name_known
         /* else if named, then only by-descr works */
         && !(by_descr && label_known(new_obj->otyp, gi.invent))
-        /* and Luck might override after both checks have failed */
-        && rnl(Role_if(PM_WIZARD) ? 5 : 15)) {
+        /* else fresh knowledge of the spell works */
+        && spell_knowledge != spe_Fresh
+        /* and Luck might override after previous checks have failed */
+        && rnl((Role_if(PM_WIZARD) || spell_knowledge == spe_GoingStale)
+               ? 5 : 15)) {
         You("%s to write that.", by_descr ? "fail" : "don't know how");
         /* scrolls disappear, spellbooks don't */
         if (paper->oclass == SPBOOK_CLASS) {