diff --git a/doc/fixes37.0 b/doc/fixes37.0
index 5ffc200a9..61bf23a2f 100644
--- a/doc/fixes37.0
+++ b/doc/fixes37.0
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ remove superfluous "All" from "All foos are already nonexistent." when blessed
 	You mime dip <item> intoing something.
 mounted hero falling out of saddle shouldn't hit ground and take damage when
 	levitating or flying (if done without steed's help)
-
+avoid "obj not free" panic if monster kills itself by reading scroll of earth
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x Problems that Were Exposed Via git Repository
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/muse.c b/src/muse.c
index f2008ff6d..a4eea23cb 100644
--- a/src/muse.c
+++ b/src/muse.c
@@ -1577,7 +1577,7 @@ use_offensive(struct monst* mtmp)
         /* don't use monster fields after killing it */
         boolean confused = (mtmp->mconf ? TRUE : FALSE);
         int mmx = mtmp->mx, mmy = mtmp->my;
-        boolean is_cursed = otmp->cursed;
+        boolean is_cursed = otmp->cursed, is_blessed = otmp->blessed;
 
         mreadmsg(mtmp, otmp);
         /* Identify the scroll */
@@ -1595,27 +1595,29 @@ use_offensive(struct monst* mtmp)
                 makeknown(otmp->otyp);
         }
 
+        /* could be fatal to monster, so use up the scroll before
+           there's a chance that monster's inventory will be dropped */
+        m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
+
         /* Loop through the surrounding squares */
         for (x = mmx - 1; x <= mmx + 1; x++) {
             for (y = mmy - 1; y <= mmy + 1; y++) {
                 /* Is this a suitable spot? */
                 if (isok(x, y) && !closed_door(x, y)
                     && !IS_ROCK(levl[x][y].typ) && !IS_AIR(levl[x][y].typ)
-                    && (((x == mmx) && (y == mmy)) ? !otmp->blessed
-                                                   : !otmp->cursed)
+                    && (((x == mmx) && (y == mmy)) ? !is_blessed : !is_cursed)
                     && (x != u.ux || y != u.uy)) {
                     (void) drop_boulder_on_monster(x, y, confused, FALSE);
                 }
             }
         }
-        m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
         /* Attack the player */
         if (distmin(mmx, mmy, u.ux, u.uy) == 1 && !is_cursed) {
             drop_boulder_on_player(confused, !is_cursed, FALSE, TRUE);
         }
 
         return (DEADMONSTER(mtmp)) ? 1 : 2;
-    }
+    } /* case MUSE_SCR_EARTH */
 #if 0
     case MUSE_SCR_FIRE: {
         boolean vis = cansee(mtmp->mx, mtmp->my);
@@ -2136,12 +2138,12 @@ use_misc(struct monst* mtmp)
         return 2;
     case MUSE_POT_POLYMORPH:
         mquaffmsg(mtmp, otmp);
+        m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
         if (vismon)
             pline("%s suddenly mutates!", Monnam(mtmp));
         (void) newcham(mtmp, muse_newcham_mon(mtmp), FALSE, FALSE);
         if (oseen)
             makeknown(POT_POLYMORPH);
-        m_useup(mtmp, otmp);
         return 2;
     case MUSE_BAG:
         return mloot_container(mtmp, otmp, vismon);