diff --git a/src/makemon.c b/src/makemon.c
index f1ad1213a..22f32ac8c 100644
--- a/src/makemon.c
+++ b/src/makemon.c
@@ -914,8 +914,10 @@ clone_mon(struct monst *mon,
            However, tamedog() will not re-tame a tame dog, so m2
            must be made non-tame to get initialized properly. */
         m2->mtame = 0;
-        if (tamedog(m2, (struct obj *) 0))
+        if (tamedog(m2, (struct obj *) 0)) {
+            assert(has_edog(m2));
             *EDOG(m2) = *EDOG(mon);
+        }
         /* [TODO? some (most? all?) edog fields probably should be
            reinitialized rather that retain the 'parent's values] */
     }