diff --git a/src/lib/commands/laun.c b/src/lib/commands/laun.c
index 11c1b88c..b85a745a 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/laun.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/laun.c
@@ -313,7 +313,6 @@ launch_missile(struct plnstr *pp, int sublaunch)
 static int
 launch_sat(struct plnstr *pp)
 {
-    struct plchrstr *pcp = plchr + pp->pln_type;
     coord sx, sy;
     int i;
     int dist;
@@ -361,7 +360,7 @@ launch_sat(struct plnstr *pp)
 	pr("Your trajectory was a little off.\n");
     }
     nreport(player->cnum, N_LAUNCH, 0, 1);
-    if (msl_intercept(sx, sy, pp->pln_own, pcp->pl_def, 0, P_O, 0)) {
+    if (msl_intercept(sx, sy, pp->pln_own, pln_def(pp), 0, P_O, 0)) {
 	return RET_OK;
     }
     pp->pln_x = sx;
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c b/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
index 8e48692e..f526b38f 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/mslsub.c
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ msl_hit(struct plnstr *pp, int hardtarget, int type, int news_item,
 	    xyas(x, y, victim));
 
     if ((pcp->pl_flags & P_T && !(pcp->pl_flags & P_MAR))) {
-	if (msl_intercept(x, y, pp->pln_own, pcp->pl_def,
+	if (msl_intercept(x, y, pp->pln_own, pln_def(pp),
 			  sublaunch, P_N, P_O)) {
 	    return 0;
 	}
     }
     if (pcp->pl_flags & P_MAR) {
-	if (shp_missile_defense(x, y, pp->pln_own, pcp->pl_def)) {
+	if (shp_missile_defense(x, y, pp->pln_own, pln_def(pp))) {
 	    return 0;
 	}
     }