diff --git a/arogue7/player.c b/arogue7/player.c
index 55661a0..b481759 100644
--- a/arogue7/player.c
+++ b/arogue7/player.c
@@ -681,12 +681,13 @@ pick_spell(struct spells spells[], int ability, int num_spells, int power,
     }
     else {
 	/* Now display the possible spells */
+        /* type_cap is a workaround for code that tried to capitalize type by
+         * temporarily modifying it in place. */
+        char type_cap = toupper(type[0]);
 	wclear(hw);
 	touchwin(hw);
 	wmove(hw, 2, 0);
-	*type = toupper(*type);
-	wprintw(hw, "	Cost	%s", type);
-	*type = tolower(*type);
+	wprintw(hw, "	Cost	%c%s", type_cap, type + 1);
 	mvwaddstr(hw, 3, 0,
 		"-----------------------------------------------");
 	maxlen = 47;	/* Maximum width of header */
@@ -733,9 +734,7 @@ pick_spell(struct spells spells[], int ability, int num_spells, int power,
 
 	/* Design prompts */
 	sprintf(label, "Current %s power is %d", type, spell_left);
-	*type = toupper(*type);
-	sprintf(title, "	Cost	%s", type);
-	*type = tolower(*type);
+	sprintf(title, "	Cost	%c%s", type_cap, type + 1);
 	sprintf(prbuf, "Select a %s or press Cancl to continue.", type);
 
 	/* Set up the main menu structure */