diff --git a/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/inc/metoffice-recipes.cylc b/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/inc/metoffice-recipes.cylc
index 083a9c1071..3d649e092b 100644
--- a/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/inc/metoffice-recipes.cylc
+++ b/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/inc/metoffice-recipes.cylc
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 {% set FAST_RECIPES =
     [
         'recipe_radiation_budget',
-        'recipe_albedolandcover',
         'recipe_heatwaves_coldwaves',
         'recipe_autoassess_landsurface_soilmoisture',
         'recipe_consecdrydays',
@@ -22,3 +21,5 @@
         'recipe_ensclus',
     ]
 %}
+
+#         'recipe_albedolandcover',
diff --git a/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/site/metoffice.cylc b/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/site/metoffice.cylc
index 5be79aaa73..8fd2a92dd8 100644
--- a/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/site/metoffice.cylc
+++ b/esmvaltool/utils/recipe_test_workflow/site/metoffice.cylc
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@
         [[[directives]]]
             --mem = 2G
 
+    {% set MISSING_RECIPE_ERROR =
+        " has custom directives set but the recipe is not being run - either add it to
+        your'" ~ SITE_RECIPES_FILE ~ "' or remove the custom directives from 'site/"
+        ~ SITE ~ ".cylc'"
+    %}
     # Resources for recipes that need more than the default. Both time and
     # memory should be specified, in case the default changes.
     # Variable (fast, medium) must be consistent with flow.cylc.
@@ -36,7 +41,9 @@
         [[[directives]]]
             --mem = 3G
 
-    [[process<fast=recipe_albedolandcover>]]
+    {% set RECIPE = "recipe_albedolandcover" %}
+    {{ assert (RECIPE in FAST_RECIPES, RECIPE|upper ~ MISSING_RECIPE_ERROR ) }}
+    [[process<fast={{ RECIPE }}>]]
         # Actual: 0m31s, 2.5 GB on 2024-04-08.
         execution time limit = PT2M
         [[[directives]]]