--- src/cmd7.c.orig	2005-07-30 14:56:03.000000000 -0400
+++ src/cmd7.c	2005-10-25 20:53:46.000000000 -0400
@@ -7745,8 +7745,21 @@
 				if ((m_idx = place_monster_one(y, x, o_ptr->pval, 0, FALSE, MSTATUS_PET)) == 0) return;
 
 				/* TODO fix this hack hack hack hackity hack with ToME 3 flags */
+				/* Have to be careful here; releasing the
+				 * symbiote into a dungeon with leveled
+				 * monsters will level the symbiote before
+				 * we can get hold of it.  We'll be nice
+				 * and use the larger of the saved exp and
+				 * the exp that the newly-generated monster
+				 * starts with. */
 				m_ptr = &m_list[m_idx];
-				monster_gain_exp(m_idx, o_ptr->exp, TRUE);
+				if (m_ptr->exp < o_ptr->exp)
+				{
+					m_ptr->exp = o_ptr->exp;
+					monster_check_experience(m_idx, TRUE);
+					if (m_ptr->level != o_ptr->elevel)
+						cmsg_format(TERM_VIOLET, "ERROR:  level-%d HYPNOS becomes level-%d symbiote", o_ptr->elevel, m_ptr->level);
+				}
 				m_ptr->hp = o_ptr->pval2;
 				m_ptr->maxhp = o_ptr->pval3;