diff --git a/compiler/gen/tests/gen_list.rs b/compiler/gen/tests/gen_list.rs
index 724b7d7545..e0da60f308 100644
--- a/compiler/gen/tests/gen_list.rs
+++ b/compiler/gen/tests/gen_list.rs
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ mod gen_list {
         assert_evals_to_ir!("[]", &[], &'static [i64]);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn int_singleton_list_literal() {
+        assert_evals_to_ir!("[1]", &[1], &'static [i64]);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn int_list_literal() {
         assert_evals_to_ir!("[ 12, 9, 6, 3 ]", &[12, 9, 6, 3], &'static [i64]);
diff --git a/compiler/mono/src/experiment.rs b/compiler/mono/src/experiment.rs
index fd58eec99b..3ea8329fd4 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/src/experiment.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/src/experiment.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 use self::InProgressProc::*;
-use crate::layout::{list_layout_from_elem, Builtin, Layout, LayoutCache, LayoutProblem};
+use crate::layout::{
+    list_layout_from_elem, Builtin, Layout, LayoutCache, LayoutProblem, Ownership,
+};
 use crate::pattern2::{Ctor, Guard, RenderAs, TagId};
 use bumpalo::collections::Vec;
 use bumpalo::Bump;
@@ -1281,6 +1283,12 @@ pub fn with_hole<'a>(
 
         When { .. } | If { .. } => todo!("when or if in expression requires join points"),
 
+        List { loc_elems, .. } if loc_elems.is_empty() => {
+            // because an empty list has an unknown element type, it is handled differently
+            let expr = Expr::EmptyArray;
+            Stmt::Let(assigned, expr, Layout::Builtin(Builtin::EmptyList), hole)
+        }
+
         List {
             elem_var,
             loc_elems,
@@ -1303,7 +1311,15 @@ pub fn with_hole<'a>(
                 elem_layout: elem_layout.clone(),
                 elems: arg_symbols,
             };
-            let mut stmt = Stmt::Let(assigned, expr, elem_layout, hole);
+            let mut stmt = Stmt::Let(
+                assigned,
+                expr,
+                Layout::Builtin(Builtin::List(
+                    Ownership::Owned,
+                    env.arena.alloc(elem_layout),
+                )),
+                hole,
+            );
 
             for (arg_expr, symbol) in loc_elems.into_iter().rev().zip(arg_symbols.iter().rev()) {
                 // if this argument is already a symbol, we don't need to re-define it
diff --git a/compiler/mono/tests/test_mono.rs b/compiler/mono/tests/test_mono.rs
index 7f4dc26d4e..7c94a501a9 100644
--- a/compiler/mono/tests/test_mono.rs
+++ b/compiler/mono/tests/test_mono.rs
@@ -1533,4 +1533,26 @@ mod test_mono {
             ),
         )
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn list_push() {
+        compiles_to_ir(
+            r#"
+            List.push [1] 2
+            "#,
+            indoc!(
+                r#"
+                procedure List.5 (#Attr.2, #Attr.3):
+                    let Test.3 = lowlevel ListPush #Attr.2 #Attr.3;
+                    ret Test.3;
+
+                let Test.4 = 1i64;
+                let Test.1 = Array [Test.4];
+                let Test.2 = 2i64;
+                let Test.0 = CallByName List.5 Test.1 Test.2;
+                ret Test.0;
+                "#
+            ),
+        )
+    }
 }