diff --git a/code/modules/asset_cache/asset_list.dm b/code/modules/asset_cache/asset_list.dm
index bc302a188d8..39e9cf925da 100644
--- a/code/modules/asset_cache/asset_list.dm
+++ b/code/modules/asset_cache/asset_list.dm
@@ -391,6 +391,11 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(asset_datums)
 		to_generate += list(args.Copy())
 
 /datum/asset/spritesheet/proc/queuedInsert(sprite_name, icon/I, icon_state="", dir=SOUTH, frame=1, moving=FALSE)
+#ifdef UNIT_TESTS
+	if (I && icon_state && !(icon_state in icon_states(I))) // check the base icon prior to extracting the state we want
+		stack_trace("Tried to insert nonexistent icon_state '[icon_state]' from [I] into spritesheet [name] ([type])")
+		return
+#endif
 	I = icon(I, icon_state=icon_state, dir=dir, frame=frame, moving=moving)
 	if (!I || !length(icon_states(I)))  // that direction or state doesn't exist
 		return
diff --git a/code/modules/asset_cache/assets/plumbing.dm b/code/modules/asset_cache/assets/plumbing.dm
index 73b1dfc7df5..980a85e83b0 100644
--- a/code/modules/asset_cache/assets/plumbing.dm
+++ b/code/modules/asset_cache/assets/plumbing.dm
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 			"synthesizer",
 			"reaction_chamber",
 			"grinder_chemical",
-			"growing_vat",
 			"fermenter",
 			"pump",
 			"disposal",