diff --git a/src/mthrowu.c b/src/mthrowu.c
index 5079f7dc0..adf4cfb99 100644
--- a/src/mthrowu.c
+++ b/src/mthrowu.c
@@ -902,6 +902,7 @@ int
 breamm(struct monst *mtmp, struct attack *mattk, struct monst *mtarg)
 {
     int typ = get_atkdam_type(mattk->adtyp);
+    boolean utarget = (mtarg == &gy.youmonst);
 
     if (m_lined_up(mtarg, mtmp)) {
         if (mtmp->mcan) {
@@ -918,14 +919,12 @@ breamm(struct monst *mtmp, struct attack *mattk, struct monst *mtarg)
 
         /* if we've seen the actual resistance, don't bother, or
            if we're close by and they reflect, just jump the player */
-        if (m_seenres(mtmp, cvt_adtyp_to_mseenres(typ))
-            || (m_seenres(mtmp, M_SEEN_REFL)
-                && monnear(mtmp, mtmp->mux, mtmp->muy)))
+        if (utarget && (m_seenres(mtmp, cvt_adtyp_to_mseenres(typ))
+                        || m_seenres(mtmp, M_SEEN_REFL)))
             return M_ATTK_HIT;
 
         if (!mtmp->mspec_used && rn2(3)) {
             if (BZ_VALID_ADTYP(typ)) {
-                boolean utarget = (mtarg == &gy.youmonst);
                 if (canseemon(mtmp))
                     pline("%s breathes %s!",
                           Monnam(mtmp), breathwep_name(typ));