diff --git a/src/game/boe.combat.cpp b/src/game/boe.combat.cpp
index eab2b62e..401d5db4 100644
--- a/src/game/boe.combat.cpp
+++ b/src/game/boe.combat.cpp
@@ -1243,7 +1243,7 @@ void do_combat_cast(location target) {
 													if(stat_window == univ.cur_pc)
 														put_item_screen(stat_window);
 													do_mindduel(univ.cur_pc,cur_monst);
-												} else add_string_to_buf("  You need a smoky crystal.   ");
+												} else add_pc_needs_to_buf("a smoky crystal");
 											}
 											store_sound = 24;
 											break;
diff --git a/src/game/boe.party.cpp b/src/game/boe.party.cpp
index cf15061b..000c4c33 100644
--- a/src/game/boe.party.cpp
+++ b/src/game/boe.party.cpp
@@ -748,7 +748,7 @@ void do_mage_spell(short pc_num,eSpell spell_num,bool freebie) {
 		{
 			cInvenSlot item = univ.party[pc_num].has_abil(eItemAbil::SAPPHIRE);
 			if(!item && !freebie)
-				add_string_to_buf("  You need a sapphire.");
+				add_pc_needs_to_buf("a sapphire");
 			else if(univ.town->defy_scrying || univ.town->defy_mapping)
 				add_string_to_buf("  The spell fails.");
 			else {
diff --git a/src/game/boe.text.cpp b/src/game/boe.text.cpp
index 906cbcf0..d7cabe6b 100644
--- a/src/game/boe.text.cpp
+++ b/src/game/boe.text.cpp
@@ -1064,6 +1064,15 @@ void add_string_to_buf(std::string str, unsigned short indent) {
 	
 }
 
+void add_pc_needs_to_buf(std::string needs_what, unsigned short pre_indent, unsigned short indent) {
+	std::ostringstream sout;
+	for(int i = 0; i < pre_indent; ++i){
+		sout << ' ';
+	}
+	sout << univ.party[univ.cur_pc].name << " needs " << needs_what << ".";
+	add_string_to_buf(sout.str(), indent);
+}
+
 void init_buf() {
 	for(short i = 0; i < TEXT_BUF_LEN; i++)
 		sprintf((char *) text_buffer[buf_pointer].line, " ");
diff --git a/src/game/boe.text.hpp b/src/game/boe.text.hpp
index 19fbb373..5167583e 100644
--- a/src/game/boe.text.hpp
+++ b/src/game/boe.text.hpp
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ void print_nums(short a,short b,short c);
 short print_terrain(location space);
 void add_string_to_buf(std::string str, unsigned short indent); // Set second parameter to nonzero to auto-split the line if it's too long
 void add_string_to_buf(std::string str);
+void add_pc_needs_to_buf(std::string needs_what, unsigned short pre_indent = 2, unsigned short indent = 4);
 void init_buf();
 void print_buf () ;
 void restart_printing();