diff --git a/data.c b/data.c
index c9ca3e1..9254175 100644
--- a/data.c
+++ b/data.c
@@ -2490,7 +2490,7 @@ void initobjects(void) {
 	addflag(lastot->flags, F_NOBLESS, B_TRUE, NA, NA, NULL);
 	addflag(lastot->flags, F_IMPORTANT, B_TRUE, NA, NA, NULL);
 
-	addot(OT_VSTAIRSDOWN, "metal hatch leading down", "A study metal hatchway set into the floor.", MT_METAL, 3000, OC_DFEATURE, SZ_HUGE);
+	addot(OT_VSTAIRSDOWN, "metal hatch leading down", "A sturdy metal hatchway set into the floor.", MT_METAL, 3000, OC_DFEATURE, SZ_HUGE);
 	addflag(lastot->flags, F_GLYPH, C_METAL, '>', NA, NULL);
 	addflag(lastot->flags, F_STAIRS, B_TRUE, NA, NA, NULL);
 	addflag(lastot->flags, F_CLIMBABLE, D_DOWN, NA, NA, "staircase");
diff --git a/objects.c b/objects.c
index f46c6e1..b7b859b 100644
--- a/objects.c
+++ b/objects.c
@@ -10687,6 +10687,9 @@ int obpropsmatch(object_t *a, object_t *b) {
 
 flag_t *obrestrictsmovement(object_t *o, lifeform_t *lf) {
 	flag_t *f;
+
+	if (isdeadob(o)) return NULL;
+
 	f = hasflag(o->flags, F_RESTRICTMOVEMENT);
 	if (f) {
 		if (!lf) return NULL;
@@ -14908,6 +14911,10 @@ int real_takedamage(object_t *o, int howmuch, int damtype, int wantannounce, lif
 	flag_t *hpflag, *f;
 	int damtaken = 0;
 
+	if (isdeadob(o)) {
+		return howmuch;
+	}
+
 	// some checks need to happen before 
 	// making sure the damage will happen.
 	// for example, even if an object is