diff --git a/src/hack.c b/src/hack.c
index b07b2feaf..624eee0e8 100644
--- a/src/hack.c
+++ b/src/hack.c
@@ -2213,7 +2213,7 @@ domove_core(void)
                 }
                 break;
             default:
-                pline("that's strange, unknown mintrap result!");
+                impossible("that's strange, unknown mintrap result!");
                 break;
             }
         }