diff --git a/Source/items.cpp b/Source/items.cpp
index 88dcd0ffe..811e6d7e3 100644
--- a/Source/items.cpp
+++ b/Source/items.cpp
@@ -2504,15 +2504,9 @@ void CalcPlrItemVals(Player &player, bool loadgfx)
 	if (player._pClass == HeroClass::Rogue) {
 		player._pDamageMod = player._pLevel * (player._pStrength + player._pDexterity) / 200;
 	} else if (player._pClass == HeroClass::Monk) {
-		if (player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_LEFT]._itype != ItemType::Staff) {
-			if (player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_RIGHT]._itype != ItemType::Staff && (!player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_LEFT].isEmpty() || !player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_RIGHT].isEmpty())) {
-				player._pDamageMod = player._pLevel * (player._pStrength + player._pDexterity) / 300;
-			} else {
-				player._pDamageMod = player._pLevel * (player._pStrength + player._pDexterity) / 150;
-			}
-		} else {
-			player._pDamageMod = player._pLevel * (player._pStrength + player._pDexterity) / 150;
-		}
+		player._pDamageMod = player._pLevel * (player._pStrength + player._pDexterity) / 150;
+		if ((!player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_LEFT].isEmpty() && player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_LEFT]._itype != ItemType::Staff) || (!player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_RIGHT].isEmpty() && player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_RIGHT]._itype != ItemType::Staff))
+			player._pDamageMod /= 2; // Monks get half the normal damage bonus if they're holding a non-staff weapon
 	} else if (player._pClass == HeroClass::Bard) {
 		if (player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_LEFT]._itype == ItemType::Sword || player.InvBody[INVLOC_HAND_RIGHT]._itype == ItemType::Sword)
 			player._pDamageMod = player._pLevel * (player._pStrength + player._pDexterity) / 150;