diff --git a/data/json/traps.json b/data/json/traps.json
index a3c5270c31456..8b92672ce7382 100644
--- a/data/json/traps.json
+++ b/data/json/traps.json
@@ -399,7 +399,8 @@
     "visibility": 99,
     "avoidance": 99,
     "difficulty": 99,
-    "action": "temple_toggle"
+    "action": "temple_toggle",
+    "always_invisible": true
   },
   {
     "type": "trap",
@@ -410,7 +411,8 @@
     "visibility": 99,
     "avoidance": 99,
     "difficulty": 99,
-    "action": "glow"
+    "action": "glow",
+    "always_invisible": true
   },
   {
     "type": "trap",
@@ -421,7 +423,8 @@
     "visibility": 99,
     "avoidance": 99,
     "difficulty": 99,
-    "action": "hum"
+    "action": "hum",
+    "always_invisible": true
   },
   {
     "type": "trap",
@@ -432,7 +435,8 @@
     "visibility": 99,
     "avoidance": 99,
     "difficulty": 99,
-    "action": "shadow"
+    "action": "shadow",
+    "always_invisible": true
   },
   {
     "type": "trap",
@@ -443,7 +447,8 @@
     "visibility": 99,
     "avoidance": 99,
     "difficulty": 99,
-    "action": "drain"
+    "action": "drain",
+    "always_invisible": true
   },
   {
     "type": "trap",
@@ -454,7 +459,8 @@
     "visibility": 99,
     "avoidance": 99,
     "difficulty": 99,
-    "action": "snake"
+    "action": "snake",
+    "always_invisible": true
   },
   {
     "type": "trap",
diff --git a/src/player.cpp b/src/player.cpp
index 377e4a058f840..01c98aba22298 100644
--- a/src/player.cpp
+++ b/src/player.cpp
@@ -2932,8 +2932,8 @@ void player::search_surroundings()
         if( !sees( tp ) ) {
             continue;
         }
-        if( tr.name().empty() || tr.can_see( tp, *this ) ) {
-            // Already seen, or has no name -> can never be seen
+        if( tr.is_always_invisible() || tr.can_see( tp, *this ) ) {
+            // Already seen, or can never be seen
             continue;
         }
         // Chance to detect traps we haven't yet seen.
diff --git a/src/trap.cpp b/src/trap.cpp
index 64f158e3f4400..77c5cc20b8984 100644
--- a/src/trap.cpp
+++ b/src/trap.cpp
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ void trap::load( JsonObject &jo, const std::string & )
     act = trap_function_from_string( jo.get_string( "action" ) );
 
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "benign", benign, false );
+    optional( jo, was_loaded, "always_invisible", always_invisible, false );
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "funnel_radius", funnel_radius_mm, 0 );
     assign( jo, "trigger_weight", trigger_weight );
     optional( jo, was_loaded, "drops", components );
@@ -121,8 +122,7 @@ void trap::load( JsonObject &jo, const std::string & )
 
 std::string trap::name() const
 {
-    // trap names can be empty, those are special always invisible traps. See player::search_surroundings
-    return name_.empty() ? name_ : _( name_ );
+    return _( name_ );
 }
 
 void trap::reset()
diff --git a/src/trap.h b/src/trap.h
index b8069122c1e2e..af4437630c6d8 100644
--- a/src/trap.h
+++ b/src/trap.h
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ struct trap {
         int avoidance;  // 0 to ??, affects avoidance
         int difficulty; // 0 to ??, difficulty of assembly & disassembly
         bool benign = false;
+        bool always_invisible = false;
         trap_function act;
         std::string name_;
         /**
@@ -86,6 +87,12 @@ struct trap {
         std::vector<itype_id> components; // For disassembly?
     public:
         std::string name() const;
+        /**
+         * There are special always invisible traps. See player::search_surroundings
+         */
+        bool is_always_invisible() const {
+            return always_invisible;
+        }
         /**
          * How easy it is to spot the trap. Smaller values means it's easier to spot.
          */