diff --git a/include/decl.h b/include/decl.h
index d78e7cbaa..dba448c71 100644
--- a/include/decl.h
+++ b/include/decl.h
@@ -468,7 +468,6 @@ struct instance_globals_i {
     boolean in_mk_themerooms;
 
     /* new */
-    struct obj invalid_obj;
 
     boolean havestate;
     unsigned long magic; /* validate that structure layout is preserved */
@@ -1149,6 +1148,8 @@ struct const_globals {
 
 extern const struct const_globals cg;
 
+extern struct obj hands_obj;
+
 #endif /* DECL_H */
 
 
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index 1d89a23ca..32e7a4faf 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -2564,7 +2564,7 @@ use_grease(struct obj *obj)
         consume_obj_charge(obj, TRUE);
 
         oldglib = (int) (Glib & TIMEOUT);
-        if (otmp != &gi.invalid_obj) {
+        if (otmp != &hands_obj) {
             You("cover %s with a thick layer of grease.", yname(otmp));
             otmp->greased = 1;
             if (obj->cursed && !nohands(gy.youmonst.data)) {
diff --git a/src/decl.c b/src/decl.c
index 810f4045e..9a949f9bc 100644
--- a/src/decl.c
+++ b/src/decl.c
@@ -440,7 +440,6 @@ const struct instance_globals_i g_init_i = {
     UNDEFINED_PTR, /* id_map */
     /* sp_lev.c */
     FALSE, /* in_mk_themerooms */
-    DUMMY,  /* invalid_obj */
 
     TRUE, /* havestate*/
     IVMAGIC  /* i_magic to validate that structure layout has been preserved */
@@ -1059,6 +1058,8 @@ decl_globals_init(void)
     gu.urace = urace_init_data;
 }
 
+/* fields in 'hands_obj' don't matter, just its distinct address */
+struct obj hands_obj = DUMMY;
 
 /* gcc 12.2's static analyzer thinks that some fields of gc.context.victual
    are uninitialized when compiling 'bite(eat.c)' but that's impossible;
diff --git a/src/eat.c b/src/eat.c
index 841b2598d..a400dbd9e 100644
--- a/src/eat.c
+++ b/src/eat.c
@@ -2719,8 +2719,8 @@ doeat(void)
         }
     }
 
-    /* from floorfood(), &gi.invalid_obj means iron bars at current spot */
-    if (otmp == &gi.invalid_obj) {
+    /* from floorfood(), &hands_obj means iron bars at current spot */
+    if (otmp == &hands_obj) {
         /* hero in metallivore form is eating [diggable] iron bars
            at current location so skip the other assorted checks;
            operates as if digging rather than via the eat occupation */
@@ -3507,7 +3507,7 @@ floorfood(
                 c = yn_function(qbuf, ynqchars, 'n', TRUE);
             }
             if (c == 'y')
-                return &gi.invalid_obj;
+                return &hands_obj;
             else if (c == 'q')
                 return (struct obj *) 0;
             ++getobj_else;
diff --git a/src/engrave.c b/src/engrave.c
index 1811db586..543333ecc 100644
--- a/src/engrave.c
+++ b/src/engrave.c
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ doengrave(void)
     if (!otmp) /* otmp == cg.zeroobj if fingers */
         return ECMD_CANCEL;
 
-    if (otmp == &gi.invalid_obj) {
+    if (otmp == &hands_obj) {
         Strcat(strcpy(fbuf, "your "), body_part(FINGERTIP));
         writer = fbuf;
     } else {
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ doengrave(void)
         return ECMD_OK;
     }
     if (IS_GRAVE(levl[u.ux][u.uy].typ)) {
-        if (otmp == &gi.invalid_obj) { /* using only finger */
+        if (otmp == &hands_obj) { /* using only finger */
             You("would only make a small smudge on the %s.",
                 surface(u.ux, u.uy));
             return ECMD_OK;
@@ -1024,7 +1024,7 @@ doengrave(void)
     }
 
     /* Tell adventurer what is going on */
-    if (otmp != &gi.invalid_obj)
+    if (otmp != &hands_obj)
         You("%s the %s with %s.", everb, eloc, doname(otmp));
     else
         You("%s the %s with your %s.", everb, eloc, body_part(FINGERTIP));
@@ -1131,7 +1131,7 @@ engrave(void)
     }
     /* Stylus might have been taken out of inventory and destroyed somehow.
      * Not safe to dereference stylus until after this. */
-    if (gc.context.engraving.stylus == &gi.invalid_obj) { /* bare finger */
+    if (gc.context.engraving.stylus == &hands_obj) { /* bare finger */
         stylus = (struct obj *) 0;
     } else {
         for (stylus = gi.invent; stylus; stylus = stylus->nobj) {
diff --git a/src/files.c b/src/files.c
index 6dedea56b..783ea1eee 100644
--- a/src/files.c
+++ b/src/files.c
@@ -3880,7 +3880,7 @@ fopen_wizkit_file(void)
 static void
 wizkit_addinv(struct obj *obj)
 {
-    if (!obj || obj == &gi.invalid_obj)
+    if (!obj || obj == &hands_obj)
         return;
 
     /* subset of starting inventory pre-ID */
@@ -3912,7 +3912,7 @@ proc_wizkit_line(char *buf)
     otmp = readobjnam(buf, (struct obj *) 0);
 
     if (otmp) {
-        if (otmp != &gi.invalid_obj)
+        if (otmp != &hands_obj)
             wizkit_addinv(otmp);
     } else {
         /* .60 limits output line width to 79 chars */
diff --git a/src/fountain.c b/src/fountain.c
index 398212085..abc8d968c 100644
--- a/src/fountain.c
+++ b/src/fountain.c
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ void
 dipfountain(struct obj *obj)
 {
     int er = ER_NOTHING;
-    boolean is_hands = (obj == &gi.invalid_obj);
+    boolean is_hands = (obj == &hands_obj);
 
     if (Levitation) {
         floating_above("fountain");
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ dipsink(struct obj *obj)
 {
     boolean try_call = FALSE,
             not_looted_yet = (levl[u.ux][u.uy].looted & S_LRING) == 0,
-            is_hands = (obj == &gi.invalid_obj || (uarmg && obj == uarmg));
+            is_hands = (obj == &hands_obj || (uarmg && obj == uarmg));
 
     if (!rn2(not_looted_yet ? 25 : 15)) {
         /* can't rely on using sink for unlimited scroll blanking; however,
diff --git a/src/invent.c b/src/invent.c
index a6bc63f55..9d2431898 100644
--- a/src/invent.c
+++ b/src/invent.c
@@ -1527,13 +1527,13 @@ any_obj_ok(struct obj *obj)
  * getobj returns:
  *      struct obj *xxx:        object to do something with.
  *      (struct obj *) 0        error return: no object.
- *      &gi.invalid_obj         explicitly no object (as in w-).
+ *      &hands_obj              explicitly no object (as in w-).
  * The obj_ok callback should not have side effects (apart from
  * abnormal-behavior things like impossible calls); it can be called multiple
  * times on the same object during the execution of this function.
  * Callbacks' argument is either a valid object pointer or a null pointer,
  * which represents the validity of doing that action on HANDS_SYM. getobj
- * won't call it with &gi.invalid_obj, so its behavior can be undefined in that
+ * won't call it with &hands_obj, so its behavior can be undefined in that
  * case.
  */
 struct obj *
@@ -1579,7 +1579,7 @@ getobj(
                     /* check whether the hands/self choice is suitable */
                     v = (*obj_ok)((struct obj *) 0);
                     if (v == GETOBJ_SUGGEST || v == GETOBJ_DOWNPLAY)
-                        otmp = &gi.invalid_obj;
+                        otmp = &hands_obj;
                 } else {
                     /* there could be more than one match if key is '#';
                        take first one which passes the obj_ok callback */
@@ -1742,7 +1742,7 @@ getobj(
         if (ilet == HANDS_SYM) { /* '-' */
             if (!allownone)
                 mime_action(word);
-            return (allownone ? &gi.invalid_obj : (struct obj *) 0);
+            return (allownone ? &hands_obj : (struct obj *) 0);
         }
  redo_menu:
         /* since gold is now kept in inventory, we need to do processing for
@@ -1778,7 +1778,7 @@ getobj(
                 continue;
             }
             if (ilet == HANDS_SYM)
-                return &gi.invalid_obj;
+                return &hands_obj;
             if (ilet == '\033') {
                 if (flags.verbose)
                     pline1(Never_mind);
diff --git a/src/mkobj.c b/src/mkobj.c
index 36a43e0e9..3c1d21ad9 100644
--- a/src/mkobj.c
+++ b/src/mkobj.c
@@ -2631,6 +2631,10 @@ dealloc_obj(struct obj *obj)
         panic("dealloc_obj with nobj");
     if (obj->cobj)
         panic("dealloc_obj with cobj");
+    if (obj == &hands_obj) {
+        impossible("dealloc_obj with hands_obj");
+        return;
+    }
 
     /* free up any timers attached to the object */
     if (obj->timed)
diff --git a/src/muse.c b/src/muse.c
index 41d497625..b5dd3ff94 100644
--- a/src/muse.c
+++ b/src/muse.c
@@ -2886,7 +2886,7 @@ munslime(struct monst *mon, boolean by_you)
             }
         }
         if (t && t->ttyp == FIRE_TRAP)
-            return muse_unslime(mon, &gi.invalid_obj, t, by_you);
+            return muse_unslime(mon, &hands_obj, t, by_you);
 
     } /* MUSE */
 
diff --git a/src/objnam.c b/src/objnam.c
index d1f3f9882..e5c80e489 100644
--- a/src/objnam.c
+++ b/src/objnam.c
@@ -3266,7 +3266,7 @@ wizterrainwish(struct _readobjnam_data *d)
                   (trap != MAGIC_PORTAL) ? "" : " to nowhere");
         } else
             pline("Creation of %s failed.", an(tname));
-        return &gi.invalid_obj;
+        return &hands_obj;
     }
 
     /* furniture and terrain (use at your own risk; can clobber stairs
@@ -3540,7 +3540,7 @@ wizterrainwish(struct _readobjnam_data *d)
     }
     if (madeterrain || badterrain) {
         /* cast 'const' away; caller won't modify this */
-        return &gi.invalid_obj;
+        return &hands_obj;
     }
 
     return (struct obj *) 0;
@@ -4495,7 +4495,7 @@ readobjnam_postparse3(struct _readobjnam_data *d)
  * Return something wished for.  Specifying a null pointer for
  * the user request string results in a random object.  Otherwise,
  * if asking explicitly for "nothing" (or "nil") return no_wish;
- * if not an object return &gi.invalid_obj; if an error (no matching object),
+ * if not an object return &hands_obj; if an error (no matching object),
  * return null.
  */
 struct obj *
@@ -4960,7 +4960,7 @@ readobjnam(char *bp, struct obj *no_wish)
          || (d.otmp->oartifact && rn2(nartifact_exist()) > 1)) && !wizard) {
         artifact_exists(d.otmp, safe_oname(d.otmp), FALSE, ONAME_NO_FLAGS);
         obfree(d.otmp, (struct obj *) 0);
-        d.otmp = &gi.invalid_obj;
+        d.otmp = &hands_obj;
         pline("For a moment, you feel %s in your %s, but it disappears!",
               something, makeplural(body_part(HAND)));
         return d.otmp;
diff --git a/src/potion.c b/src/potion.c
index 13bb07085..fab7286e6 100644
--- a/src/potion.c
+++ b/src/potion.c
@@ -2246,7 +2246,7 @@ dodip(void)
     if (inaccessible_equipment(obj, "dip", FALSE))
         return ECMD_OK;
 
-    is_hands = (obj == &gi.invalid_obj);
+    is_hands = (obj == &hands_obj);
     shortestname = (is_hands || is_plural(obj) || pair_of(obj)) ? "them"
                                                                 : "it";
     drink_ok_extra = 0;
@@ -2381,7 +2381,7 @@ potion_dip(struct obj *obj, struct obj *potion)
         pline("That is a potion bottle, not a Klein bottle!");
         return ECMD_OK;
     }
-    if (obj == &gi.invalid_obj) {
+    if (obj == &hands_obj) {
         You("can't fit your %s into the mouth of the bottle!",
             body_part(HAND));
         return ECMD_OK;
diff --git a/src/weapon.c b/src/weapon.c
index b2bf35826..0dc32d81f 100644
--- a/src/weapon.c
+++ b/src/weapon.c
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ select_rwep(struct monst *mtmp)
 
     char mlet = mtmp->data->mlet;
 
-    gp.propellor = &gi.invalid_obj;
+    gp.propellor = &hands_obj;
     Oselect(EGG);      /* cockatrice egg */
     if (mlet == S_KOP) /* pies are first choice for Kops */
         Oselect(CREAM_PIE);
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ select_rwep(struct monst *mtmp)
         }
 
         /* KMH -- This belongs here so darts will work */
-        gp.propellor = &gi.invalid_obj;
+        gp.propellor = &hands_obj;
 
         prop = objects[rwep[i]].oc_skill;
         if (prop < 0) {
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ select_rwep(struct monst *mtmp)
                 gp.propellor = 0;
         }
         /* propellor = obj, propellor to use
-         * propellor = &gi.invalid_obj, doesn't need a propellor
+         * propellor = &hands_obj, doesn't need a propellor
          * propellor = 0, needed one and didn't have one
          */
         if (gp.propellor != 0) {
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ mon_wield_item(struct monst *mon)
                    mon_nam(mon));
         return 0;
     }
-    if (obj && obj != &gi.invalid_obj) {
+    if (obj && obj != &hands_obj) {
         struct obj *mw_tmp = MON_WEP(mon);
 
         if (mw_tmp && mw_tmp->otyp == obj->otyp) {
diff --git a/src/wield.c b/src/wield.c
index 351dd3f1b..36fa73636 100644
--- a/src/wield.c
+++ b/src/wield.c
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ dowield(void)
     }
 
     /* Handle no object, or object in other slot */
-    if (wep == &gi.invalid_obj) {
+    if (wep == &hands_obj) {
         wep = (struct obj *) 0;
     } else if (wep == uswapwep) {
         return doswapweapon();
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ doquiver_core(const char *verb) /* "ready" or "fire" */
     if (!newquiver) {
         /* Cancelled */
         return ECMD_CANCEL;
-    } else if (newquiver == &gi.invalid_obj) { /* no object */
+    } else if (newquiver == &hands_obj) { /* no object */
         /* Explicitly nothing */
         if (uquiver) {
             You("now have no ammunition readied.");
diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index d3c4f2923..380e2c9c2 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -5981,7 +5981,7 @@ makewish(void)
     }
     /*
      *  Note: if they wished for and got a non-object successfully,
-     *  otmp == &gi.invalid_obj.  That includes an artifact which has been
+     *  otmp == &hands_obj.  That includes an artifact which has been
      *  denied. Wishing for "nothing" requires a separate value to remain
      *  distinct.
      */
@@ -6000,7 +6000,7 @@ makewish(void)
            to retain wishless conduct */
         livelog_printf(LL_WISH, "declined to make a wish");
         return;
-    } else if (otmp == &gi.invalid_obj) {
+    } else if (otmp == &hands_obj) {
         /* wizard mode terrain wish: skip livelogging, etc */
         return;
     }