diff --git a/src/lib/commands/edit.c b/src/lib/commands/edit.c
index f8d4f99c..54f80a0a 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/edit.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/edit.c
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ edit(void)
 static void
 benefit(natid who, int goodness)
 {
-    if (opt_GODNEWS && who && goodness)
+    if (opt_GODNEWS && getnatp(who)->nat_stat != STAT_GOD && goodness)
 	nreport(player->cnum, goodness > 0 ? N_AIDS : N_HURTS, who, 1);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/give.c b/src/lib/commands/give.c
index f68affab..c1c5f2a0 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/give.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/give.c
@@ -76,13 +76,15 @@ give(void)
 	putsect(&sect);
 	if (sect.sct_own != 0 && m != n) {
 	    if (m > n) {
-		if (opt_GODNEWS)
+		if (opt_GODNEWS
+		    && getnatp(sect.sct_own)->nat_stat != STAT_GOD)
 		    nreport(player->cnum, N_GIFT, sect.sct_own, 1);
 		wu(0, sect.sct_own, "%s gave you %d %s in %s\n",
 		   cname(player->cnum), m - n, ip->i_name,
 		   xyas(sect.sct_x, sect.sct_y, sect.sct_own));
 	    } else {
-		if (opt_GODNEWS)
+		if (opt_GODNEWS
+		    && getnatp(sect.sct_own)->nat_stat != STAT_GOD)
 		    nreport(sect.sct_own, N_TAKE, player->cnum, 1);
 		wu(0, sect.sct_own, "%s stole %d %s from %s\n",
 		   cname(player->cnum), n - m, ip->i_name,
diff --git a/src/lib/commands/setsect.c b/src/lib/commands/setsect.c
index 686913f2..8afafd46 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/setsect.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/setsect.c
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ setsector(void)
 static void
 resbenefit(natid who, int goodness)
 {
-    if (opt_GODNEWS && who && goodness)
+    if (opt_GODNEWS && getnatp(who)->nat_stat != STAT_GOD && goodness)
 	nreport(player->cnum, goodness > 0 ? N_AIDS : N_HURTS, who, 1);
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/actofgod/actofgod.xdump b/tests/actofgod/actofgod.xdump
index 6927d1b2..6b77dc8f 100644
--- a/tests/actofgod/actofgod.xdump
+++ b/tests/actofgod/actofgod.xdump
@@ -361,7 +361,6 @@ actor action victim times duration time
 0 42 2 38 0 0
 0 42 1 39 0 0
 0 44 1 19 0 0
-0 43 98 1 0 0
 0 43 2 1 0 0
 0 43 1 54 0 0
 0 42 1 4 0 0