diff --git a/stead/input.lua b/stead/input.lua
index 107d168..296b07f 100644
--- a/stead/input.lua
+++ b/stead/input.lua
@@ -172,7 +172,8 @@ function kbdxlat(s)
 		return
 	end
 
-	if input.kbd_alt then
+	if input.kbd_alt and 
+		(game.codepage == 'UTF-8' or game.codepage == 'utf-8') then
 		kbd = kbdru;
 	else
 		kbd = kbden
diff --git a/stead/stead.lua b/stead/stead.lua
index 8ca9599..9330602 100644
--- a/stead/stead.lua
+++ b/stead/stead.lua
@@ -2612,6 +2612,10 @@ end
 stead.code = code
 --- here the game begins
 stead.objects = function(s)
+	null = obj {
+		nam = 'null';
+	}
+	
 	allocator = obj {
 		nam = 'allocator',
 		get = function(s, n, c)