diff --git a/src/pickup.c b/src/pickup.c
index 9c37428c5..185844455 100644
--- a/src/pickup.c
+++ b/src/pickup.c
@@ -2132,7 +2132,9 @@ boolean taking;
                                    && !which_armor(mtmp, W_ARMG)
                                    && !(resists_ston(mtmp)
                                         || defended(mtmp, AD_STON)));
-
+        boolean unpaid = otmp->unpaid 
+                || (!otmp->no_charge && costly_spot(otmp->ox, otmp->oy));
+        
         /* Clear inapplicable wornmask bits */
         unwornmask &= ~(W_ART | W_ARTI | W_QUIVER);
 
@@ -2142,6 +2144,11 @@ boolean taking;
                 weldmsg(otmp);
                 continue;
             }
+            if (unpaid) {
+                pline("A mysterious force prevents you from giving away %s...", 
+                      yname(otmp));
+                continue;
+            }
             if (otmp->otyp == LOADSTONE && cursed(otmp, TRUE)
                 && maxquan < otmp->quan) {
                 /* kludge for canletgo() feedback, also used in getobj() */