diff --git a/core/src/player.rs b/core/src/player.rs
index cfab3bb9..5e5dde9c 100644
--- a/core/src/player.rs
+++ b/core/src/player.rs
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ impl Player {
                 // do we have any colours in store?
                 let colours = self.vbox.store[&ItemType::Colours].keys()
                     .cloned()
+                    .take(2)
                     .collect::<Vec<String>>();
 
                 // how about a base skill?
@@ -168,11 +169,13 @@ impl Player {
                 };
 
                 // if no: try to refill and start again
-                match colours.len() < 2 || base.is_none() {
-                    true => match self.vbox_refill() {
-                        Ok(_) => continue,
-                        Err(_) => break, // give up
-                    },
+                match colours.len() != 2 || base.is_none() {
+                    true => {
+                        match self.vbox_refill() {
+                            Ok(_) => continue,
+                            Err(_) => break, // give up
+                        };
+                    }
                     false => {
                         let mut vbox_items = HashMap::new();
                         vbox_items.insert(ItemType::Colours, colours);
@@ -205,7 +208,7 @@ impl Player {
                 // there's a bad bug here where if this apply fails
                 // the item in question will be silently dropped
                 let item = self.vbox.stash.remove(&i).unwrap();
-                self.vbox_apply(item, construct_id).ok();
+                self.vbox_apply(item, construct_id).unwrap();
                 continue;
             }
             // need to buy one
@@ -213,6 +216,7 @@ impl Player {
                 // do we have any colours in store?
                 let colours = self.vbox.store[&ItemType::Colours].keys()
                     .cloned()
+                    .take(2)
                     .collect::<Vec<String>>();
 
                 // how about a base spec?
@@ -222,7 +226,7 @@ impl Player {
                 };
 
                 // if no: try to refill and start again
-                match colours.len() < 2 || base.is_none() {
+                match colours.len() != 2 || base.is_none() {
                     true => match self.vbox_refill() {
                         Ok(_) => continue,
                         Err(_) => break, // give up