diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 5c84a82a5..ff3b74503 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -3101,6 +3101,8 @@ extern void bypass_objlist(struct obj *, boolean);
 extern struct obj *nxt_unbypassed_obj(struct obj *);
 extern struct obj *nxt_unbypassed_loot(Loot *, struct obj *);
 extern int racial_exception(struct monst *, struct obj *);
+extern void extract_from_minvent(struct monst *, struct obj *, boolean,
+                                 boolean);
 
 /* ### write.c ### */
 
diff --git a/src/mkobj.c b/src/mkobj.c
index e57d7b40e..9cae22145 100644
--- a/src/mkobj.c
+++ b/src/mkobj.c
@@ -1878,21 +1878,11 @@ remove_object(struct obj* otmp)
 void
 discard_minvent(struct monst* mtmp, boolean uncreate_artifacts)
 {
-    struct obj *otmp, *mwep = MON_WEP(mtmp);
-    boolean keeping_mon = !DEADMONSTER(mtmp);
+    struct obj *otmp;
 
     while ((otmp = mtmp->minvent) != 0) {
         /* this has now become very similar to m_useupall()... */
-        obj_extract_self(otmp);
-        if (otmp->owornmask) {
-            if (keeping_mon) {
-                if (otmp == mwep)
-                    mwepgone(mtmp), mwep = 0;
-                mtmp->misc_worn_check &= ~otmp->owornmask;
-                update_mon_intrinsics(mtmp, otmp, FALSE, TRUE);
-            }
-            otmp->owornmask = 0L; /* obfree() expects this */
-        }
+        extract_from_minvent(mtmp, otmp, TRUE, TRUE);
         if (uncreate_artifacts && otmp->oartifact)
             artifact_exists(otmp, safe_oname(otmp), FALSE);
         obfree(otmp, (struct obj *) 0); /* dealloc_obj() isn't sufficient */
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index 9932594bd..782d68a7d 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -2597,13 +2597,7 @@ monstone(struct monst* mdef)
         oldminvent = 0;
         /* some objects may end up outside the statue */
         while ((obj = mdef->minvent) != 0) {
-            obj_extract_self(obj);
-            if (obj->owornmask)
-                update_mon_intrinsics(mdef, obj, FALSE, TRUE);
-            obj_no_longer_held(obj);
-            if (obj->owornmask & W_WEP)
-                setmnotwielded(mdef, obj);
-            obj->owornmask = 0L;
+            extract_from_minvent(mdef, obj, TRUE, TRUE);
             if (obj->otyp == BOULDER
 #if 0 /* monsters don't carry statues */
                 ||  (obj->otyp == STATUE
diff --git a/src/mthrowu.c b/src/mthrowu.c
index 8dd7be626..a4507f4e6 100644
--- a/src/mthrowu.c
+++ b/src/mthrowu.c
@@ -842,20 +842,11 @@ breamm(struct monst* mtmp, struct attack* mattk, struct monst* mtarg)
     return MM_HIT;
 }
 
-
-
 /* remove an entire item from a monster's inventory; destroy that item */
 void
 m_useupall(struct monst* mon, struct obj* obj)
 {
-    obj_extract_self(obj);
-    if (obj->owornmask) {
-        if (obj == MON_WEP(mon))
-            mwepgone(mon);
-        mon->misc_worn_check &= ~obj->owornmask;
-        update_mon_intrinsics(mon, obj, FALSE, FALSE);
-        obj->owornmask = 0L;
-    }
+    extract_from_minvent(mon, obj, TRUE, FALSE);
     obfree(obj, (struct obj *) 0);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index 6db657dd7..25a860671 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -2104,8 +2104,6 @@ loot_mon(struct monst *mtmp, int *passed_info, boolean *prev_loot)
      *  *prev_loot is set to TRUE if something was actually acquired in here.
      */
     if (mtmp && mtmp != u.usteed && (otmp = which_armor(mtmp, W_SADDLE))) {
-        long unwornmask;
-
         if (passed_info)
             *passed_info = 1;
         Sprintf(qbuf, "Do you want to remove the saddle from %s?",
@@ -2123,12 +2121,7 @@ loot_mon(struct monst *mtmp, int *passed_info, boolean *prev_loot)
                 /* the attempt costs you time */
                 return 1;
             }
-            obj_extract_self(otmp);
-            if ((unwornmask = otmp->owornmask) != 0L) {
-                mtmp->misc_worn_check &= ~unwornmask;
-                otmp->owornmask = 0L;
-                update_mon_intrinsics(mtmp, otmp, FALSE, FALSE);
-            }
+            extract_from_minvent(mtmp, otmp, TRUE, FALSE);
             otmp = hold_another_object(otmp, "You drop %s!", doname(otmp),
                                        (const char *) 0);
             nhUse(otmp);
diff --git a/src/steal.c b/src/steal.c
index cfd3fcfdf..b5e40329d 100644
--- a/src/steal.c
+++ b/src/steal.c
@@ -671,27 +671,16 @@ mdrop_obj(
     boolean verbosely)
 {
     int omx = mon->mx, omy = mon->my;
-    boolean update_mon = FALSE;
+    boolean unwornmask = obj->owornmask;
 
-    if (obj->owornmask) {
-        /* perform worn item handling if the monster is still alive */
-        if (!DEADMONSTER(mon)) {
-            mon->misc_worn_check &= ~obj->owornmask;
-            update_mon = TRUE;
-
-        /* don't charge for an owned saddle on dead steed (provided
-           that the hero is within the same shop at the time) */
-        } else if (mon->mtame && (obj->owornmask & W_SADDLE) != 0L
-                   && !obj->unpaid && costly_spot(omx, omy)
-                   /* being at costly_spot guarantees lev->roomno is not 0 */
-                   && index(in_rooms(u.ux, u.uy, SHOPBASE),
-                            levl[omx][omy].roomno)) {
-            obj->no_charge = 1;
-        }
-        /* this should be done even if the monster has died */
-        if (obj->owornmask & W_WEP)
-            setmnotwielded(mon, obj);
-        obj->owornmask = 0L;
+    extract_from_minvent(mon, obj, FALSE, TRUE);
+    /* don't charge for an owned saddle on dead steed (provided
+        that the hero is within the same shop at the time) */
+    if (unwornmask && mon->mtame && (unwornmask & W_SADDLE) != 0L
+        && !obj->unpaid && costly_spot(omx, omy)
+        /* being at costly_spot guarantees lev->roomno is not 0 */
+        && index(in_rooms(u.ux, u.uy, SHOPBASE), levl[omx][omy].roomno)) {
+        obj->no_charge = 1;
     }
     /* obj_no_longer_held(obj); -- done by place_object */
     if (verbosely && cansee(omx, omy))
@@ -701,8 +690,9 @@ mdrop_obj(
         stackobj(obj);
     }
     /* do this last, after placing obj on floor; removing steed's saddle
-       throws rider, possibly inflicting fatal damage and producing bones */
-    if (update_mon)
+       throws rider, possibly inflicting fatal damage and producing bones; this
+       is why we had to call extract_from_minvent() with do_intrinsics=FALSE */
+    if (!DEADMONSTER(mon) && unwornmask)
         update_mon_intrinsics(mon, obj, FALSE, TRUE);
 }
 
@@ -721,16 +711,10 @@ mdrop_special_objs(struct monst* mon)
            current role's quest artifact is rescued too--quest artifacts
            for the other roles are not */
         if (obj_resists(obj, 0, 0) || is_quest_artifact(obj)) {
-            obj_extract_self(obj);
             if (mon->mx) {
                 mdrop_obj(mon, obj, FALSE);
             } else { /* migrating monster not on map */
-                if (obj->owornmask) {
-                    mon->misc_worn_check &= ~obj->owornmask;
-                    if (obj->owornmask & W_WEP)
-                        setmnotwielded(mon, obj);
-                    obj->owornmask = 0L;
-                }
+                extract_from_minvent(mon, obj, TRUE, TRUE);
                 rloco(obj);
             }
         }
@@ -757,7 +741,6 @@ relobj(
     } /* isgd && has gold */
 
     while ((otmp = (is_pet ? droppables(mtmp) : mtmp->minvent)) != 0) {
-        obj_extract_self(otmp);
         mdrop_obj(mtmp, otmp, is_pet && flags.verbose);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index 3456259f2..756929f24 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -1626,22 +1626,14 @@ steal_it(struct monst *mdef, struct attack *mattk)
             mpickobj(mdef, gold), gold = 0;
         if (!Upolyd)
             break; /* no longer have ability to steal */
+        unwornmask = otmp->owornmask;
         /* take the object away from the monster */
-        obj_extract_self(otmp);
-        if ((unwornmask = otmp->owornmask) != 0L) {
-            mdef->misc_worn_check &= ~unwornmask;
-            if (otmp->owornmask & W_WEP)
-                setmnotwielded(mdef, otmp);
-            otmp->owornmask = 0L;
-            update_mon_intrinsics(mdef, otmp, FALSE, FALSE);
-            /* give monster a chance to wear other equipment on its next
-               move instead of waiting until it picks something up */
-            mdef->misc_worn_check |= I_SPECIAL;
-
-            if (otmp == ustealo) /* special message for final item */
-                pline("%s finishes taking off %s suit.", Monnam(mdef),
-                      mhis(mdef));
-        }
+        extract_from_minvent(mdef, otmp, TRUE, FALSE);
+        /* special message for final item; no need to check owornmask because
+         * ustealo is only set on objects with (owornmask & W_ARM) */
+        if (otmp == ustealo)
+            pline("%s finishes taking off %s suit.", Monnam(mdef),
+                  mhis(mdef));
         /* give the object to the character */
         otmp = hold_another_object(otmp, "You snatched but dropped %s.",
                                    doname(otmp), "You steal: ");
@@ -3917,17 +3909,7 @@ mhitm_ad_sedu(struct monst *magr, struct attack *mattk, struct monst *mdef,
             if (u.usteed == mdef && obj == which_armor(mdef, W_SADDLE))
                 /* "You can no longer ride <steed>." */
                 dismount_steed(DISMOUNT_POLY);
-            obj_extract_self(obj);
-            if (obj->owornmask) {
-                mdef->misc_worn_check &= ~obj->owornmask;
-                if (obj->owornmask & W_WEP)
-                    mwepgone(mdef);
-                obj->owornmask = 0L;
-                update_mon_intrinsics(mdef, obj, FALSE, FALSE);
-                /* give monster a chance to wear other equipment on its next
-                   move instead of waiting until it picks something up */
-                mdef->misc_worn_check |= I_SPECIAL;
-            }
+            extract_from_minvent(mdef, obj, TRUE, FALSE);
             /* add_to_minv() might free 'obj' [if it merges] */
             if (g.vis)
                 Strcpy(onambuf, doname(obj));
diff --git a/src/worn.c b/src/worn.c
index 0b35ad492..53c9b951c 100644
--- a/src/worn.c
+++ b/src/worn.c
@@ -709,12 +709,7 @@ which_armor(struct monst *mon, long flag)
 static void
 m_lose_armor(struct monst *mon, struct obj *obj)
 {
-    mon->misc_worn_check &= ~obj->owornmask;
-    if (obj->owornmask)
-        update_mon_intrinsics(mon, obj, FALSE, FALSE);
-    obj->owornmask = 0L;
-
-    obj_extract_self(obj);
+    extract_from_minvent(mon, obj, TRUE, FALSE);
     place_object(obj, mon->mx, mon->my);
     /* call stackobj() if we ever drop anything that can merge */
     newsym(mon->mx, mon->my);
@@ -1039,4 +1034,39 @@ racial_exception(struct monst *mon, struct obj *obj)
 
     return 0;
 }
+
+/* Remove an object from a monster's inventory.
+ * At its core this is just obj_extract_self(), but it also handles any updates
+ * that needs to happen if the gear is equipped or in some other sort of state
+ * that needs handling.
+ * Note that like obj_extract_self(), this leaves obj free. */
+void
+extract_from_minvent(struct monst *mon, struct obj *obj,
+                     boolean do_intrinsics, /* whether to call
+                                               update_mon_intrinsics */
+                     boolean silently) /* doesn't affect all possible messages,
+                                          just update_mon_intrinsics's */
+{
+    long unwornmask = obj->owornmask;
+
+    if (obj->where != OBJ_MINVENT) {
+        impossible("extract_from_minvent called on object not in minvent");
+        return;
+    }
+    obj_extract_self(obj);
+    obj->owornmask = 0L;
+    if (unwornmask) {
+        if (!DEADMONSTER(mon) && do_intrinsics) {
+            update_mon_intrinsics(mon, obj, FALSE, silently);
+        }
+        mon->misc_worn_check &= ~unwornmask;
+        /* give monster a chance to wear other equipment on its next
+           move instead of waiting until it picks something up */
+        mon->misc_worn_check |= I_SPECIAL;
+    }
+    obj_no_longer_held(obj);
+    if (unwornmask & W_WEP) {
+        mwepgone(mon); /* unwields and sets weapon_check to NEED_WEAPON */
+    }
+}
 /*worn.c*/
diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index 67de59d3b..3b210789d 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -347,7 +347,6 @@ bhitm(struct monst *mtmp, struct obj *otmp)
             } else if (canspotmon(mtmp)) {
                 pline("%s falls off.", buf);
             }
-            obj_extract_self(obj);
             mdrop_obj(mtmp, obj, FALSE);
         }
         break;
@@ -4052,16 +4051,7 @@ disintegrate_mon(struct monst *mon,
     for (otmp = mon->minvent; otmp; otmp = otmp2) {
         otmp2 = otmp->nobj;
         if (!oresist_disintegration(otmp)) {
-            if (otmp->owornmask) {
-                /* in case monster's life gets saved */
-                mon->misc_worn_check &= ~otmp->owornmask;
-                if (otmp->owornmask & W_WEP)
-                    setmnotwielded(mon, otmp);
-                /* also dismounts hero if this object is steed's saddle */
-                update_mon_intrinsics(mon, otmp, FALSE, TRUE);
-                otmp->owornmask = 0L;
-            }
-            obj_extract_self(otmp);
+            extract_from_minvent(mon, otmp, TRUE, TRUE);
             obfree(otmp, (struct obj *) 0);
         }
     }