diff --git a/src/lib/subs/pr.c b/src/lib/subs/pr.c
index 1412e434..6976944f 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/pr.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/pr.c
@@ -358,6 +358,12 @@ prmptrd(char *prompt, char *buf, int size)
 {
     int r;
 
+    /*
+     * Each prompt must consume one line of input.  recvclient()
+     * doesn't do that while player->aborted.
+     */
+    CANT_HAPPEN(player->aborted);
+
     pr_id(player, C_FLUSH, "%s\n", prompt);
     if ((r = recvclient(buf, size)) < 0)
 	return r;
@@ -384,6 +390,9 @@ uprmptrd(char *prompt, char *buf, int size)
 {
     int r;
 
+    /* See prmptrd() */
+    CANT_HAPPEN(player->aborted);
+
     pr_id(player, C_FLUSH, "%s\n", prompt);
     if ((r = recvclient(buf, size)) < 0)
 	return r;