diff --git a/orbs.cpp b/orbs.cpp
index 5c0b4689..014c5a64 100644
--- a/orbs.cpp
+++ b/orbs.cpp
@@ -1222,7 +1222,7 @@ EX eItem targetRangedOrb(cell *c, orbAction a) {
     auto& c2 = mi.t;
     if(!mi.op()) nowhereToBlow = true;
     else if(isBoat(c) && !isWatery(c2) && c2->wall != waNone) nowhereToBlow = true;
-    else if(c->wall == waBigStatue && !canPushStatueOn(c2)) nowhereToBlow = true;
+    else if(c->wall == waBigStatue && !canPushStatueOn(c2, P_BLOW)) nowhereToBlow = true;
     else {
       if(!isCheck(a)) blowoff(mi), apply_impact(c);
       return itOrbAir;
diff --git a/passable.cpp b/passable.cpp
index c176d03a..70de8768 100644
--- a/passable.cpp
+++ b/passable.cpp
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ EX bool passable(cell *w, cell *from, flagtype flags) {
     if(from && isWatery(from) && isWatery(w) && F(P_CHAIN) && !againstCurrent(w, from))
       return true;
 
-    if(w->wall == waBigStatue && from && canPushStatueOn(from)) return true;
+    if(w->wall == waBigStatue && from && canPushStatueOn(from, flags)) return true;
     }
   
   if(F(P_EARTHELEM)) {
@@ -402,8 +402,8 @@ bool sharkpassable(cell *w, cell *c) {
   return true;
   }
 
-EX bool canPushStatueOn(cell *c) {
-  return passable(c, NULL, P_MONSTER) && !snakelevel(c) &&
+EX bool canPushStatueOn(cell *c, flagtype flags) {
+  return passable(c, NULL, P_MONSTER | flags) && !snakelevel(c) &&
     !isWorm(c->monst) && !isReptile(c->wall) && !peace::on && 
     !among(c->wall, waBoat, waFireTrap, waArrowTrap);
   }
diff --git a/pcmove.cpp b/pcmove.cpp
index ab3c0694..e6d30f6d 100644
--- a/pcmove.cpp
+++ b/pcmove.cpp
@@ -734,7 +734,7 @@ bool pcmove::after_escape() {
   cell*& c2 = mi.t;
 
   if(c2->wall == waBigStatue && !c2->monst && !nonAdjacentPlayer(c2, cwt.at) && fmsMove) {
-    if(!canPushStatueOn(cwt.at)) {
+    if(!canPushStatueOn(cwt.at, P_ISPLAYER)) {
       if(vmsg()) { 
         if(isFire(cwt.at))
           addMessage(XLAT("You have to escape first!"));
diff --git a/shmup.cpp b/shmup.cpp
index 09b65cc6..3c7ce2fa 100644
--- a/shmup.cpp
+++ b/shmup.cpp
@@ -1056,7 +1056,7 @@ void movePlayer(monster *m, int delta) {
         if(HEAT(c2) > .5) HEAT(c2) = .5;
         }
   
-      else if(c2->wall == waBigStatue && canPushStatueOn(m->base) && !nonAdjacent(c2, m->base)) {
+      else if(c2->wall == waBigStatue && canPushStatueOn(m->base, P_ISPLAYER) && !nonAdjacent(c2, m->base)) {
         visibleFor(300);
         c2->wall = m->base->wall;
         if(cellUnstable(cwt.at))
@@ -2309,7 +2309,7 @@ void moveMonster(monster *m, int delta) {
     }
   if(isLeader(m->type)) {
     if(c2 != m->base) {
-      if(c2->wall == waBigStatue && canPushStatueOn(m->base)) {
+      if(c2->wall == waBigStatue && canPushStatueOn(m->base, 0)) {
         c2->wall = m->base->wall;
         if(cellUnstable(m->base))
           m->base->wall = waChasm;