diff --git a/src/lib/commands/expl.c b/src/lib/commands/expl.c
index 40c332c7..c671abd7 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/expl.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/expl.c
@@ -192,6 +192,12 @@ explore(void)
      *      Check for a multitude of problems
      */
     getsect(endsect.sct_x, endsect.sct_y, &chksect);
+    if (amount <= 0) {
+	getsect(start.sct_x, start.sct_y, &start);
+	sect.sct_flags &= ~MOVE_IN_PROGRESS;
+	putsect(&sect);
+	return RET_FAIL;
+    }
     if (chksect.sct_type == '.') {
 	pr("Bridge disappeared!\n");
 	getsect(start.sct_x, start.sct_y, &start);
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/move.c b/src/lib/commands/move.c
index c735ef68..8d8d185a 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/move.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/move.c
@@ -269,6 +269,13 @@ move(void)
 	pr("%d mob left in %s\n", left,
 	   xyas(start.sct_x, start.sct_y, player->cnum));
 
+    if (amount <= 0) {
+	getsect(x, y, &start);
+	start.sct_flags &= ~MOVE_IN_PROGRESS;
+	putsect(&start);
+	return RET_OK;
+    }
+
 /* If the sector that things are going to is no longer
    owned by the player, and was the starting sector,
    try to find somewhere to dump the stuff.  If nowhere