diff --git a/c64/basic/,aliases.s b/c64/basic/,aliases.s
index f500a630..2e1fee26 100644
--- a/c64/basic/,aliases.s
+++ b/c64/basic/,aliases.s
@@ -61,8 +61,7 @@
 	.alias LDTND $98 ; number of entries in LAT / FAT / SAT tables
 	.alias DFLTN $99
 	.alias input_device_number DFLTN
-	; bit 6 = error messages, bit 7 = control messages
-	.alias kernal_message_control_flags $9d
+	.alias MSGFLG $9D ; bit 6 = error messages, bit 7 = control message
 	.alias jiffy_clock_24bits $a0
 	.alias cassette_buffer_bytes_used $A6
 	.alias load_or_scroll_temp_pointer $AC
diff --git a/c64/basic/cmd_load.s b/c64/basic/cmd_load.s
index 691ba769..30cc57b0 100644
--- a/c64/basic/cmd_load.s
+++ b/c64/basic/cmd_load.s
@@ -11,6 +11,15 @@ cmd_load:
 	;; middle of a program. For safety, we do.
 	jsr basic_do_clr
 	
+	;; Setup Kernal to print control messages or not
+	lda #$80 ; display control messages and omit error messages
+	ldx basic_current_line_number+1
+	cpx #$FF
+	beq +
+	lda #$00 ; direct mode - don't display anything
+*
+	jsr $FF90 ; SETMSG
+	
 	;; XXX temporary, to set valid device number
 	lda #$08
 	sta current_device_number
diff --git a/c64/kernal/,aliases.s b/c64/kernal/,aliases.s
index 0d3ab8ab..e4dd19ca 100644
--- a/c64/kernal/,aliases.s
+++ b/c64/kernal/,aliases.s
@@ -12,8 +12,7 @@
 	.alias LDTND $98 ; number of entries in LAT / FAT / SAT tables
 	.alias DFLTN $99
 	.alias input_device_number DFLTN
-	; bit 6 = error messages, bit 7 = control messages
-	.alias kernal_message_control_flags $9d
+	.alias MSGFLG $9D ; bit 6 = error messages, bit 7 = control message
 	.alias jiffy_clock_24bits $a0
 	.alias cassette_buffer_bytes_used $A6
 	.alias load_or_scroll_temp_pointer $AC
diff --git a/c64/kernal/load.s b/c64/kernal/load.s
index d6e9b631..1a853b95 100644
--- a/c64/kernal/load.s
+++ b/c64/kernal/load.s
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 	;; $AC = current pointer for loading/verifying
 	;; $C1 = similar to the above.
 
-;; XXX rework this, according to pagetable.com
+;; XXX honor MSGFLG bit 6, add VERIFY support
 
 load:
 
@@ -30,12 +30,13 @@ load:
 	jsr install_ram_routines
 	
 	;; Disable IRQs, since timing matters!
-	SEI
+	sei
 
-	;; Display SEARCHING FOR
+	;; Display SEARCHING FOR + filename
+	lda MSGFLG
+	bpl +
 	jsr printf
-	.byte "SEARCHING FOR ",0
-
+	.byte $0D,"SEARCHING FOR ",0
 	ldy #$00
 print_filename_loop:
 
@@ -131,9 +132,12 @@ sent_filename:
 	beq +
 	sta load_save_start_ptr+1
 *
+	;; Display LOADING
+	lda MSGFLG
+	bpl +
 	jsr printf
-	.byte "LOADING",$0d,0
-
+	.byte "LOADING",$0D,0
+*
 load_loop:
 	;; We are now ready to receive bytes
 	jsr iec_rx_byte
diff --git a/c64/kernal/setmsg.s b/c64/kernal/setmsg.s
index eb79d7f5..15a3d5b1 100644
--- a/c64/kernal/setmsg.s
+++ b/c64/kernal/setmsg.s
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 ; Function defined on pp272-273 of C64 Programmers Reference Guide
 setmsg:
+	sta MSGFLG
 	rts