diff --git a/doc/fixes34.4 b/doc/fixes34.4
index 97a7376c6..4d5d019e2 100644
--- a/doc/fixes34.4
+++ b/doc/fixes34.4
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ fireproof, non-rustable weapon would be revealed as fireproof by hitting a
 surviving choking while eating various foods (cockatrice egg, fortune cookie,
 	wolfsbane, others) didn't carry through to those foods' side-effects
 shapechangers who take on mimic or hider form will mimic or hide when feasible
+avoid War message if tinning a Rider corpse fails
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific Fixes
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index 5f705602a..e114a914a 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -1522,9 +1522,11 @@ register struct obj *obj;
 	    instapetrify(kbuf);
 	}
 	if (is_rider(&mons[corpse->corpsenm])) {
-		(void) revive_corpse(corpse);
+	    if (revive_corpse(corpse))
 		verbalize("Yes...  But War does not preserve its enemies...");
-		return;
+	    else
+		pline_The("corpse evades your grasp.");
+	    return;
 	}
 	if (mons[corpse->corpsenm].cnutrit == 0) {
 		pline("That's too insubstantial to tin.");