diff --git a/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c b/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c
index 44ba35f4..96bd53e1 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c
@@ -1098,25 +1098,28 @@ lnd_mar_dir(struct emp_qelem *list, int dir, natid actor)
 	}
     }
 
-    return 0;
+    return QEMPTY(list);
 }
 
 int
 lnd_mar_gauntlet(struct emp_qelem *list, int interdict, natid actor)
 {
     struct ulist *mlp = (struct ulist *)list->q_back;
-    coord newx = mlp->unit.land.lnd_x;
-    coord newy = mlp->unit.land.lnd_y;
+    coord newx, newy;
     int stopping, visible;
     struct emp_qelem *qp, *next;
     struct ulist *llp;
 
+    if (CANT_HAPPEN(QEMPTY(list)))
+	return 1;
+    newx = mlp->unit.land.lnd_x;
+    newy = mlp->unit.land.lnd_y;
     stopping = lnd_sweep(list, 0, 1, actor);
     if (QEMPTY(list))
-	return stopping;
+	return 1;
     stopping |= lnd_check_mines(list);
     if (QEMPTY(list))
-	return stopping;
+	return 1;
 
     visible = 0;
     for (qp = list->q_back; qp != list; qp = next) {
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/shpsub.c b/src/lib/subs/shpsub.c
index 6905da00..7e61372e 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/shpsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/shpsub.c
@@ -876,23 +876,26 @@ shp_nav_dir(struct emp_qelem *list, int dir, natid actor)
 	putship(mlp->unit.ship.shp_uid, &mlp->unit.ship);
     }
 
-    return 0;
+    return QEMPTY(list);
 }
 
 int
 shp_nav_gauntlet(struct emp_qelem *list, int interdict, natid actor)
 {
     struct ulist *mlp = (struct ulist *)list->q_back;
-    coord newx = mlp->unit.ship.shp_x;
-    coord newy = mlp->unit.ship.shp_y;
+    coord newx, newy;
     int stopping;
 
+    if (CANT_HAPPEN(QEMPTY(list)))
+	return 1;
+    newx = mlp->unit.ship.shp_x;
+    newy = mlp->unit.ship.shp_y;
     stopping = shp_sweep(list, 0, 0, actor);
     if (QEMPTY(list))
-	return stopping;
+	return 1;
     stopping |= shp_check_mines(list);
     if (QEMPTY(list))
-	return stopping;
+	return 1;
     if (interdict)
 	stopping |= shp_interdict(list, newx, newy, actor);