diff --git a/src/avatar.cpp b/src/avatar.cpp
index 8079cf678c855..f81ab0fe29b2b 100644
--- a/src/avatar.cpp
+++ b/src/avatar.cpp
@@ -323,6 +323,8 @@ const player *avatar::get_book_reader( const item &book, std::vector<std::string
                    has_identified( book.typeId() ) ) {
             // Low morale still permits skimming
             reasons.push_back( string_format( _( "%s morale is too low!" ), elem->disp_name( true ) ) );
+        } else if( elem->is_blind() ) {
+            reasons.push_back( string_format( _( "% is blind." ), elem->disp_name( true ) ) );
         } else {
             int proj_time = time_to_read( book, *elem );
             if( proj_time < time_taken ) {