diff --git a/unison-src/builtin-tests/serial-tests.u b/unison-src/builtin-tests/serial-tests.u
index 5e6afe896..5c7aaecca 100644
--- a/unison-src/builtin-tests/serial-tests.u
+++ b/unison-src/builtin-tests/serial-tests.u
@@ -95,7 +95,10 @@ serial.loadSelfContained name path =
       Right [] -> pass (name ++ " links validated")
       Right _ -> fail name "failed link validation"
 
-    _ = cache_ deps
+    match cache_ deps with
+      [] -> ()
+      miss -> raiseFailure "code missing deps" miss
+
     checkCached name deps
     match Value.load v with
       Left l -> raiseFailure "value missing deps" l