diff --git a/doc/fixes5-0-1.txt b/doc/fixes5-0-1.txt
index df0990233..9c3acac1f 100644
--- a/doc/fixes5-0-1.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes5-0-1.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-NHDT-Branch: NetHack-5.0 $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.20 $ $NHDT-Date: 1779581008 2026/05/24 00:03:28 $
+NHDT-Branch: NetHack-5.0 $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.36 $ $NHDT-Date: 1781062909 2026/06/09 19:41:49 $
 	
 General Fixes and Modified Features
 -----------------------------------
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ don't overflow svp.plname on restore (pr #1570 by chasonr)
 monsters (including pets) aren't scared of the Sokoban rolling boulder traps
 fix a bug in which steeds would continuously gain movement points while
         being ridden
+when hero's behavior makes erinyes stronger, cap level at 49 rather than 50
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/src/mon.c b/src/mon.c
index cc70c0453..a69a1aedf 100644
--- a/src/mon.c
+++ b/src/mon.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* NetHack 5.0	mon.c	$NHDT-Date: 1770949988 2026/02/12 18:33:08 $  $NHDT-Branch: NetHack-3.7 $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.621 $ */
+/* NetHack 5.0	mon.c	$NHDT-Date: 1781062909 2026/06/09 19:41:49 $  $NHDT-Branch: NetHack-5.0 $:$NHDT-Revision: 1.634 $ */
 /* Copyright (c) Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam, 1985. */
 /*-Copyright (c) Derek S. Ray, 2015. */
 /* NetHack may be freely redistributed.  See license for details. */
@@ -5965,8 +5965,9 @@ adj_erinys(unsigned abuse)
         pm->mattk[2].damd = 4;
     }
 
-    /* also adjust level and difficulty */
-    pm->mlevel = min(7 + u.ualign.abuse, 50);
+    /* also adjust level and difficulty;
+       mlevel >= 50 has a special meaning, so don't exceed 49 */
+    pm->mlevel = min(7 + u.ualign.abuse, 49);
     pm->difficulty = min(10 + (u.ualign.abuse / 3), 25);
 }