diff --git a/doc/fixes34.4 b/doc/fixes34.4
index 6e3088ecc..db8d50b0a 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.4
+++ b/doc/fixes34.4
@@ -294,6 +294,7 @@ can't arm bear traps or land mines on Planes of Air or Water
 statues that "come to life" when trap activates shouldn't start out sleeping
 shopkeepers and priests wouldn't step on graves put in their rooms by bones
 can't throw if poly'd into form which lacks hands
+can't eat an artifact you're unable to touch
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/src/eat.c b/src/eat.c
index ef66a1ec5..1e5299106 100644
--- a/src/eat.c
+++ b/src/eat.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/*	SCCS Id: @(#)eat.c	3.5	2006/12/07	*/
+/*	SCCS Id: @(#)eat.c	3.5	2007/01/24	*/
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
 
@@ -2256,7 +2256,9 @@ doeat()		/* generic "eat" command funtion (see cmd.c) */
 	 * mails, players who polymorph back to human in the middle of their
 	 * metallic meal, etc....
 	 */
-	if (!is_edible(otmp)) {
+	if (otmp->oartifact && !touch_artifact(otmp, &youmonst)) {
+	    return 1;
+	} else if (!is_edible(otmp)) {
 	    You("cannot eat that!");
 	    return 0;
 	} else if ((otmp->owornmask & (W_ARMOR|W_TOOL|W_AMUL