diff --git a/src/dig.c b/src/dig.c
index 157acbd34..e470abe00 100644
--- a/src/dig.c
+++ b/src/dig.c
@@ -914,9 +914,9 @@ struct obj *obj;
 					     sobj_at(BOULDER, rx, ry))) {
 			    struct obj *otmp;
 			    boolean vibrate = !rn2(3);
-			    pline("Sparks fly as you whack the %s%s!",
+			    pline("Sparks fly as you whack the %s.%s",
 				sobj_at(STATUE, rx, ry) ? "statue" : "boulder",
-				vibrate ? " and the axe-handle vibrates violently" : "");
+				vibrate ? " The axe-handle vibrates violently!" : "");
 			    if (vibrate) losehp(2, "axing a hard object", KILLED_BY);
 			    if ((otmp = carrying(POT_OIL))) catch_lit(otmp);
 			}