diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index f5f7de5d0..e34e7edb6 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -912,6 +912,7 @@ E boolean FDECL(peace_minded, (struct permonst *));
 E void FDECL(set_malign, (struct monst *));
 E void FDECL(set_mimic_sym, (struct monst *));
 E int FDECL(mbirth_limit, (int));
+E void FDECL(mimic_hit_msg, (struct monst *, SHORT_P));
 #ifdef GOLDOBJ
 E void FDECL(mkmonmoney, (struct monst *, long));
 #endif
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index 410cd50e7..5583aa743 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -2701,6 +2701,28 @@ pacify_guards()
 	    mtmp->mpeaceful = 1;
 	}
 }
+
+void
+mimic_hit_msg(mtmp, otyp)
+struct monst *mtmp;
+short otyp;
+{
+	short ap = mtmp->mappearance;
+
+	switch(mtmp->m_ap_type) {
+	    case M_AP_NOTHING:			
+	    case M_AP_FURNITURE:
+	    case M_AP_MONSTER:
+		break;
+	    case M_AP_OBJECT:
+		if (otyp == SPE_HEALING || otyp == SPE_EXTRA_HEALING) {
+		    pline("%s seems a more vivid %s than before.",
+				The(simple_typename(ap)),
+				c_obj_colors[objects[ap].oc_color]);
+		}
+		break;
+	}
+}
 #endif /* OVLB */
 
 /*mon.c*/
diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index f1f64ebcf..56cc896cd 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ struct obj *otmp;
 #ifdef STEED
 	struct obj *obj;
 #endif
+	boolean disguised_mimic = (mtmp->data->mlet == S_MIMIC &&
+				   mtmp->m_ap_type != M_AP_NOTHING);
 
 	if (u.uswallow && mtmp == u.ustuck)
 	    reveal_invis = FALSE;
@@ -263,9 +265,17 @@ struct obj *otmp;
 		    mtmp->mblinded = 0;
 		    mtmp->mcansee = 1;
 		}
-		if (canseemon(mtmp))
-		    pline("%s looks%s better.", Monnam(mtmp),
-			  otyp == SPE_EXTRA_HEALING ? " much" : "" );
+		if (canseemon(mtmp)) {
+		    if (disguised_mimic) {
+			if (mtmp->m_ap_type == M_AP_OBJECT &&
+				mtmp->mappearance == STRANGE_OBJECT)
+				/* it can do better now */
+				set_mimic_sym(mtmp);
+			else
+				mimic_hit_msg(mtmp, otyp);
+		    } else pline("%s looks%s better.", Monnam(mtmp),
+					otyp == SPE_EXTRA_HEALING ? " much" : "" );
+		}
 		if (mtmp->mtame || mtmp->mpeaceful) {
 		    adjalign(Role_if(PM_HEALER) ? 1 : sgn(u.ualign.type));
 		}