diff --git a/src/lib/commands/xdump.c b/src/lib/commands/xdump.c
index 0052323b..9122eae6 100644
--- a/src/lib/commands/xdump.c
+++ b/src/lib/commands/xdump.c
@@ -398,14 +398,18 @@ xdump(void)
 	meta = 1;
 	p = getstarg(player->argp[2], "Table name? ", buf);
     }
-    if (!p)
+    if (!p || !*p)
 	return RET_SYN;
 
     type = isdigit(p[0]) ? atoi(p) : ef_byname(p);
     if (type >= 0 && type < EF_MAX) {
 	if (meta)
 	    return xdmeta(type);
-	else
+	else if (EF_IS_GAME_STATE(type)
+		 && (player->ncomstat & NORM) != NORM) {
+	    pr("Access to table %s denied\n", ef_nameof(type));
+	    return RET_FAIL;
+	} else
 	    return xditem(type, player->argp[2]);
     } else if (!strncmp(p, "ver", strlen(p))) {
 	return xdver(meta);
diff --git a/src/lib/player/empmod.c b/src/lib/player/empmod.c
index 3b084cdf..e3676b72 100644
--- a/src/lib/player/empmod.c
+++ b/src/lib/player/empmod.c
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ struct cmndstr player_coms[] = {
     {"wipe <SECTS>", 1, wipe, C_MOD, NORM},
     {"wire [yes|no|<days>]", 0, rea, C_MOD, VIS},
     {"work <LAND UNITS> <AMOUNT>", 1, work, C_MOD, NORM + MONEY + CAP},
-    {"xdump [\"meta\"] <TYPE|\"ver\"> [<RECORDS>]", 0, xdump, 0, NORM},
+    {"xdump [\"meta\"] <TYPE|\"ver\"> [<RECORDS>]", 0, xdump, 0, VIS},
     {"zdone <y|n|c>", 0, zdon, C_MOD, NORM},
     {0, 0, 0, 0, 0}
 };