diff --git a/src/monmove.c b/src/monmove.c
index a460e9841..fb8adfd48 100644
--- a/src/monmove.c
+++ b/src/monmove.c
@@ -295,9 +295,8 @@ onscary(coordxy x, coordxy y, struct monst *mtmp)
 void
 mon_regen(struct monst *mon, boolean digest_meal)
 {
-    if (mon->mhp < mon->mhpmax
-        && (svm.moves % 20 == 0 || regenerates(mon->data)))
-        mon->mhp++;
+    if (svm.moves % 20 == 0 || regenerates(mon->data))
+        healmon(mon, 1, 0);
     if (mon->mspec_used)
         mon->mspec_used--;
     if (digest_meal) {