diff --git a/src/newcharacter.cpp b/src/newcharacter.cpp
index eaa54233f5295..69d0ec1e87741 100644
--- a/src/newcharacter.cpp
+++ b/src/newcharacter.cpp
@@ -1290,10 +1290,11 @@ static std::string assemble_stat_details( avatar &u, const unsigned char sel )
         case 1: {
             description_str =
                 colorize(
-                    string_format( _( "Melee to-hit bonus: +%.2f" ), u.get_melee_hit_base() )
-                    + string_format( _( "\nThrowing penalty per target's dodge: +%d" ),
-                                     u.throw_dispersion_per_dodge( false ) ),
-                    COL_STAT_BONUS );
+                    string_format( _( "Melee to-hit bonus: %+.2f" ), u.get_melee_hit_base() ),
+                    u.get_melee_hit_base() >= 0 ? COL_STAT_BONUS : COL_STAT_PENALTY );
+            description_str += colorize(
+                                   string_format( _( "\nThrowing penalty per target's dodge: +%d" ),
+                                                  u.throw_dispersion_per_dodge( false ) ), COL_STAT_PENALTY );
             if( u.ranged_dex_mod() != 0 ) {
                 description_str += colorize( string_format( _( "\nRanged penalty: -%d" ),
                                              std::abs( u.ranged_dex_mod() ) ), COL_STAT_PENALTY );