diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index 45e9902ca..27eef8206 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -553,8 +553,11 @@ int current_turn(void)
         perror(zText);
     }
     else {
-        fscanf(F, "%d\n", &cturn);
+        int c = fscanf(F, "%d\n", &cturn);
         fclose(F);
+        if (c != 1) {
+            return -1;
+        }
     }
     return cturn;
 }
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.h b/src/kernel/save.h
index 11b53d620..bb8746e00 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.h
+++ b/src/kernel/save.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ extern "C" {
     extern int data_version;
     extern int enc_gamedata;
 
-    extern int current_turn(void);
+    int current_turn(void);
 
     extern void read_items(struct storage *store, struct item **it);
     extern void write_items(struct storage *store, struct item *it);