diff --git a/src/allmain.c b/src/allmain.c
index e0286fb99..6b8d45fb8 100644
--- a/src/allmain.c
+++ b/src/allmain.c
@@ -528,7 +528,8 @@ regen_hp(int wtcap)
         if (u.mh < 1) { /* shouldn't happen... */
             rehumanize();
         } else if (g.youmonst.data->mlet == S_EEL
-                   && !is_pool(u.ux, u.uy) && !Is_waterlevel(&u.uz)) {
+                   && !is_pool(u.ux, u.uy) && !Is_waterlevel(&u.uz)
+                   && !Breathless) {
             /* eel out of water loses hp, similar to monster eels;
                as hp gets lower, rate of further loss slows down */
             if (u.mh > 1 && !Regeneration && rn2(u.mh) > rn2(8)
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index 36488ce78..a9f01a115 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -828,7 +828,8 @@ minliquid_core(struct monst* mtmp)
         }
     } else {
         /* but eels have a difficult time outside */
-        if (mtmp->data->mlet == S_EEL && !Is_waterlevel(&u.uz)) {
+        if (mtmp->data->mlet == S_EEL && !Is_waterlevel(&u.uz)
+            && !breathless(mtmp->data)) {
             /* as mhp gets lower, the rate of further loss slows down */
             if (mtmp->mhp > 1 && rn2(mtmp->mhp) > rn2(8))
                 mtmp->mhp--;