diff --git a/doc/fixes34.1 b/doc/fixes34.1
index 147e4ceb3..117d607e9 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.1
+++ b/doc/fixes34.1
@@ -137,6 +137,8 @@ grammar of blessed-detection eating warning messages when eating 1 of N objects
 message for charging for items lost in a cursed magic bag wasn't always shown
 dropping gold on an altar printed no message and didn't change gnostic conduct
 don't allow cursed daggers thrown by monsters to go thru closed doors
+hero polymorphed into an exploding monster should explode when attacking
+	thin air, just like the monster itself
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/src/hack.c b/src/hack.c
index 7c10fa500..bffcbdad0 100644
--- a/src/hack.c
+++ b/src/hack.c
@@ -1041,13 +1041,20 @@ domove()
 	if (flags.forcefight ||
 	    /* remembered an 'I' && didn't use a move command */
 	    (glyph_is_invisible(levl[x][y].glyph) && !flags.nopick)) {
+		boolean expl = (Upolyd && attacktype(youmonst.data, AT_EXPL));
 	    	char buf[BUFSZ];
 		Sprintf(buf,"a vacant spot on the %s", surface(x,y));
-		You("attack %s.",
-		    !Underwater ? "thin air" : is_pool(x,y) ? "empty water" : buf);
+		You("%s %s.",
+		    expl ? "explode at" : "attack",
+		    !Underwater ? "thin air" :
+		    is_pool(x,y) ? "empty water" : buf);
 		unmap_object(x, y); /* known empty -- remove 'I' if present */
 		newsym(x, y);
 		nomul(0);
+		if (expl) {
+		    u.mh = -1;		/* dead in the current form */
+		    rehumanize();
+		}
 		return;
 	}
 	if (glyph_is_invisible(levl[x][y].glyph)) {
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index 025805ac4..e978e780e 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -1920,8 +1920,10 @@ use_weapon:
 			impossible("strange attack of yours (%d)",
 				 mattk->aatyp);
 	    }
-	    if (dhit == -1)
+	    if (dhit == -1) {
+		u.mh = -1;	/* dead in the current form */
 		rehumanize();
+	    }
 	    if (sum[i] == 2)
 		return((boolean)passive(mon, 1, 0, mattk->aatyp));
 							/* defender dead */