diff --git a/src/CSET/cset_workflow/rose-suite.conf.example b/src/CSET/cset_workflow/rose-suite.conf.example
index 2880435e5..26a47dd6b 100644
--- a/src/CSET/cset_workflow/rose-suite.conf.example
+++ b/src/CSET/cset_workflow/rose-suite.conf.example
@@ -128,8 +128,8 @@ POINT_OBS=False
 !!POINT_OBS_USE_WMO_STATION_NUMBERS=False
 !!POINT_OBS_WMO_BLOCK_STTN_NUMBERS=[]
 PRESSURE_LEVELS=[]
-SCORES_CATEGORICAL_POD=True
-SCORES_CATEGORICAL_POD_ENTRIES=[""]
+SCORES_CATEGORICAL_POD=False
+!!SCORES_CATEGORICAL_POD_ENTRIES=[]
 PRESSURE_LEVEL_FIELDS=[]
 !!PROB_TEMPERATURE_CONDITION=[]
 !!PROB_TEMPERATURE_THRESHOLD=[]
diff --git a/src/CSET/loaders/verification.py b/src/CSET/loaders/verification.py
index c0b136a30..96a7a1e57 100644
--- a/src/CSET/loaders/verification.py
+++ b/src/CSET/loaders/verification.py
@@ -15,9 +15,12 @@
 """Load verification recipes."""
 
 import itertools
+import logging
 
 from CSET.recipes import Config, RawRecipe, get_models
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 
 def _get_scores_spatial_methods(conf):
     """Compile list of the required scores spatial plots."""
@@ -290,7 +293,15 @@ def load(conf: Config):
         for field_and_method, scores_method in itertools.product(
             conf.SCORES_CATEGORICAL_POD_ENTRIES, scores_timeseries_categorical
         ):
-            var, op, value = field_and_method.split(",")
+            try:
+                var, op, value = field_and_method.split(",")
+            except ValueError as err:
+                logger.exception(
+                    f"Invalid value in SCORES_CATEGORICAL_POD_ENTRIES: {field_and_method}",
+                    exc_info=err,
+                )
+                # Skip invalid entry.
+                continue
 
             yield RawRecipe(
                 recipe=f"surface_categorical_model_obs_{scores_method}.yaml",