diff --git a/info/Spies.t b/info/Spies.t
index 36315662..21c2ce7a 100644
--- a/info/Spies.t
+++ b/info/Spies.t
@@ -22,9 +22,6 @@ shelling, bombing, etc. and take ANY damage at all, they die.
 Spies may also be snuck on shore via ships using the "assault"
 command.  If you assault a sector using just spies, a 100% spy has a
 60% chance of getting caught, which increases to 100% for a 20% spy.
-If you mix spies and mil,
-the spies must fight just like normal units.  And, since any damage they take
-kills them, this is very risky usage of spies.
 .s1
 You may locate spies using the "llookout" or the "spy" command.
 .s1
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/attsub.c b/src/lib/subs/attsub.c
index fd36afce..65aac889 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/attsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/attsub.c
@@ -1041,7 +1041,14 @@ ask_olist(int combat_mode, struct combat *off, struct combat *def,
 	    return;
 	}
 	att_val = attack_val(combat_mode, &land);
-	if (att_val < 1.0) {
+	/*
+	 * We need to let spies assault even though they have no
+	 * offensive strength, because assault is how they sneak
+	 * ashore.  If this assault turns out to be a fight, they'll
+	 * be removed by get_ototal().
+	 */
+	if (att_val < 1.0
+	    && !(combat_mode == A_ASSAULT && (lcp->l_flags & L_SPY))) {
 	    pr("%s has no offensive strength\n", prland(&land));
 	    continue;
 	}
@@ -1245,9 +1252,9 @@ get_ototal(int combat_mode, struct combat *off, struct emp_qelem *olist,
 	if (check && att_val < 1.0) {
 	    /*
 	     * No offensive strength, and fighting hasn't even begun.
-	     * Since ask_olist() doesn't offer such land units, the
-	     * strength must have been destroyed since then.  Leave it
-	     * behind.
+	     * Since ask_olist() doesn't offer such land units, except
+	     * for spies sometimes, it's either a spy, or the strength
+	     * must have been destroyed since then.  Leave it behind.
 	     */
 	    lnd_print(player->cnum, llp, "has no offensive strength");
 	    lnd_put_one(llp);
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c b/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c
index bcf183d0..65ecbe2d 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/lndsub.c
@@ -84,12 +84,6 @@ attack_val(int combat_mode, struct lndstr *lp)
 
     lcp = &lchr[(int)lp->lnd_type];
 
-/* Spies always count as 1 during assaults.  If they are the only ones
-   in the assault, they get to sneak on anyway. */
-
-    if (lcp->l_flags & L_SPY && combat_mode == A_ASSAULT)
-	return 1;
-
     men = lp->lnd_item[I_MILIT];
     value = men * lnd_att(lp) * lp->lnd_effic / 100.0;
 
@@ -179,16 +173,14 @@ lnd_take_casualty(int combat_mode, struct ulist *llp, int cas)
     signed char orig;
     int mob;
 
+    if (CANT_HAPPEN(lchr[llp->unit.land.lnd_type].l_flags & L_SPY))
+	return 0;
+
     taken = llp->unit.land.lnd_item[I_MILIT];
-    /* Spies always die */
-    if (lchr[llp->unit.land.lnd_type].l_flags & L_SPY)
-	llp->unit.land.lnd_effic = 0;
-    else {
-	eff_eq = ldround(cas * 100.0 /
-	    lchr[llp->unit.land.lnd_type].l_item[I_MILIT], 1);
-	llp->unit.land.lnd_effic -= eff_eq;
-	lnd_submil(&llp->unit.land, cas);
-    }
+    eff_eq = ldround(cas * 100.0 /
+		     lchr[llp->unit.land.lnd_type].l_item[I_MILIT], 1);
+    llp->unit.land.lnd_effic -= eff_eq;
+    lnd_submil(&llp->unit.land, cas);
 
     if (llp->unit.land.lnd_effic < LAND_MINEFF) {
 	sprintf(buf, "dies %s %s!",