diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index abf3e410c..e21631c18 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -416,6 +416,7 @@ E int NDECL(take_off);
 E void FDECL(off_msg, (struct obj *));
 E void FDECL(set_wear, (struct obj *));
 E boolean FDECL(donning, (struct obj *));
+E boolean FDECL(doffing, (struct obj *));
 E void NDECL(cancel_don);
 E int FDECL(stop_donning, (struct obj *));
 E int NDECL(Armor_off);
diff --git a/src/do_wear.c b/src/do_wear.c
index def059815..42f23491a 100644
--- a/src/do_wear.c
+++ b/src/do_wear.c
@@ -1158,6 +1158,7 @@ register struct obj *otmp;
     long what = context.takeoff.what;	/* if nonzero, occupation is implied */
     boolean result = FALSE;
 
+    /* 'W' and 'T' set afternmv, 'A' sets context.takeoff.what */
     if (otmp == uarm)
 	result = (afternmv == Armor_on || afternmv == Armor_off ||
 		  what == WORN_ARMOR);
@@ -1185,6 +1186,36 @@ register struct obj *otmp;
     return result;
 }
 
+/* check whether the target object is currently being taken off,
+   so that stop_donning() and steal() can vary messages */
+boolean
+doffing(otmp)
+struct obj *otmp;
+{
+    long what = context.takeoff.what;
+    boolean result = FALSE;
+
+    /* 'T' (also 'W') sets afternmv, 'A' sets context.takeoff.what */
+    if (otmp == uarm)
+	result = (afternmv == Armor_off || what == WORN_ARMOR);
+#ifdef TOURIST
+    else if (otmp == uarmu)
+	result = (afternmv == Shirt_off || what == WORN_SHIRT);
+#endif
+    else if (otmp == uarmc)
+	result = (afternmv == Cloak_off || what == WORN_CLOAK);
+    else if (otmp == uarmf)
+	result = (afternmv == Boots_off || what == WORN_BOOTS);
+    else if (otmp == uarmh)
+	result = (afternmv == Helmet_off || what == WORN_HELMET);
+    else if (otmp == uarmg)
+	result = (afternmv == Gloves_off || what == WORN_GLOVES);
+    else if (otmp == uarms)
+	result = (afternmv == Shield_off || what == WORN_SHIELD);
+
+    return result;
+}
+
 void
 cancel_don()
 {
@@ -1211,27 +1242,28 @@ struct obj *stolenobj;	/* no message if stolenobj is already being doffing */
     char buf[BUFSZ];
     struct obj *otmp;
     boolean putting_on;
-    int result;
+    int result = 0;
 
     for (otmp = invent; otmp; otmp = otmp->nobj)
 	if ((otmp->owornmask & W_ARMOR) && donning(otmp)) break;
 	/* at most one item will pass donning() test at any given time */
     if (!otmp) return 0;
 
-    result = -multi;	/* remember this before calling unmul() */
-    /* donning() returns True when doffing too */
-    putting_on = !(context.takeoff.mask & otmp->owornmask);
+    /* donning() returns True when doffing too; doffing() is more specific */
+    putting_on = !doffing(otmp);
     /* cancel_don() looks at afternmv; it also serves as cancel_doff() */
     cancel_don();
     /* don't want <armor>_on() or <armor>_off() being called
        by unmul() since the on or off action isn't completing */
     afternmv = 0;
-    if (putting_on || otmp != stolenobj)
+    if (putting_on || otmp != stolenobj) {
 	Sprintf(buf, "You stop %s %s.",
 		putting_on ? "putting on" : "taking off",
 		thesimpleoname(otmp));
-    else
-	buf[0] = '\0';	/* silently stop doffing stolenobj */
+    } else {
+	buf[0] = '\0';		/* silently stop doffing stolenobj */
+	result = -multi;	/* remember this before calling unmul() */
+    }
     unmul(buf);
     /* while putting on, item becomes worn immediately but side-effects are
        deferred until the delay expires; when interrupted, make it unworn
diff --git a/src/mhitu.c b/src/mhitu.c
index 1f379388b..1d650f23d 100644
--- a/src/mhitu.c
+++ b/src/mhitu.c
@@ -2263,7 +2263,7 @@ register struct monst *mon;
 	else You_feel("very attracted to %s.", mon_nam(mon));
 	/* if in the process of putting armor on or taking armor off,
 	   interrupt that activity now */
-	stop_donning((struct obj *)0);
+	(void) stop_donning((struct obj *)0);
 	/* don't try to take off gloves if cursed weapon blocks them */
 	if (welded(uwep)) tried_gloves = 1;
 
diff --git a/src/steal.c b/src/steal.c
index 6016e41a9..21712a3f2 100644
--- a/src/steal.c
+++ b/src/steal.c
@@ -272,7 +272,8 @@ char *objnambuf;
 {
 	struct obj *otmp;
 	int tmp, could_petrify, armordelay, olddelay, named = 0, retrycnt = 0;
-	boolean monkey_business; /* true iff an animal is doing the thievery */
+	boolean monkey_business, /* true iff an animal is doing the thievery */
+		was_doffing;
 
 	if (objnambuf) *objnambuf = '\0';
 	/* the following is true if successful on first of two attacks. */
@@ -391,6 +392,7 @@ gotobj:
 	    o_unleash(otmp);
 	}
 
+	was_doffing = doffing(otmp);
 	/* stop donning/doffing now so that afternmv won't be clobbered
 	   below; stop_occupation doesn't handle donning/doffing */
 	olddelay = stop_donning(otmp);
@@ -429,13 +431,17 @@ gotobj:
 			    pline("%s charms you.  You gladly %s your %s.",
 				  !seen ? "She" : Monnam(mtmp),
 				  curssv ? "let her take" :
-				  slowly ? "start removing" : "hand over",
+				    !slowly ? "hand over" :
+				      was_doffing ? "continue removing" :
+					"start removing",
 				  equipname(otmp));
 			else
 			    pline("%s seduces you and %s off your %s.",
 				  !seen ? "She" : Adjmonnam(mtmp, "beautiful"),
 				  curssv ? "helps you to take" :
-				  slowly ? "you start taking" : "you take",
+				    !slowly ? "you take" :
+				      was_doffing ? "you continue taking" :
+					"you start taking",
 				  equipname(otmp));
 			named++;
 			/* the following is to set multi for later on */