diff --git a/src/objnam.c b/src/objnam.c
index 408d697be..7d8d727e7 100644
--- a/src/objnam.c
+++ b/src/objnam.c
@@ -2784,7 +2784,7 @@ srch:
 			    pline("%s%s.", An(tname),
 				  (trap != MAGIC_PORTAL) ? "" : " to nowhere");
 			} else
-			    pline("Creation of %s failed.", An(tname));
+			    pline("Creation of %s failed.", an(tname));
 			return(&zeroobj);
 		}