diff --git a/doc/fixes34.1 b/doc/fixes34.1
index 37e7b3841..858321972 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.1
+++ b/doc/fixes34.1
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ cannot trip over submerged objects if you're water walking
 wand of striking was not identified if it activated a statue trap
 cannot sacrifice while you're swallowed
 player polymorphed into an eel cannot drown breathless/amphibious monsters
+avoid dmonsfree impossible message due to migrating a dead monster via
+	mhurtle causing the monster to end up in a hole or other trap
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/src/uhitm.c b/src/uhitm.c
index 929bb9f25..c41083403 100644
--- a/src/uhitm.c
+++ b/src/uhitm.c
@@ -896,7 +896,9 @@ int thrown;
 	if (jousting) {
 	    You("joust %s%s",
 			 mon_nam(mon), canseemon(mon) ? exclam(tmp) : ".");
-	    mhurtle(mon, u.dx, u.dy, 1);
+	    /* avoid migrating a dead monster */
+	    if (mon->mhp > tmp)
+		mhurtle(mon, u.dx, u.dy, 1);
 	    hittxt = TRUE;
 	} else
 #endif
@@ -908,7 +910,9 @@ int thrown;
 		if (canspotmon(mon))
 		    pline("%s %s from your powerful strike!", Monnam(mon),
 			  makeplural(stagger(mon->data, "stagger")));
-		mhurtle(mon, u.dx, u.dy, 1);
+		/* avoid migrating a dead monster */
+		if (mon->mhp > tmp)
+		    mhurtle(mon, u.dx, u.dy, 1);
 		hittxt = TRUE;
 	    }
 	}