diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index c3c8a5684..ecf8a794a 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -1684,8 +1684,8 @@ bhitpile(obj,fhito,tx,ty)
 	   because that last call might end up operating on our `next_obj'
 	   (below), rather than on the current object, if it happens to
 	   encounter a statue which mustn't become animated. */
-	if (t && t->ttyp == STATUE_TRAP && obj->otyp == WAN_STRIKING &&
-	    activate_statue_trap(t, tx, ty, TRUE))
+	if (t && t->ttyp == STATUE_TRAP &&
+	    activate_statue_trap(t, tx, ty, TRUE) && obj->otyp == WAN_STRIKING)
 	    makeknown(obj->otyp);
     }