diff --git a/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/flavor_synchronizer.py b/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/flavor_synchronizer.py
index 288e1d714..a84a6e894 100644
--- a/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/flavor_synchronizer.py
+++ b/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/flavor_synchronizer.py
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ def _nova(self):
         )
 
     def reconcile(self, desired_flavors: list[FlavorSpec]):
+        if len(desired_flavors) < 1:
+            raise Exception(f"Empty desired_flavors list.")
+
         existing_flavors = self._nova.flavors.list()
         for flavor in desired_flavors:
             nova_flavor = next(
diff --git a/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/reconcile.py b/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/reconcile.py
index e87beb790..f1d097eb4 100644
--- a/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/reconcile.py
+++ b/operators/nova-flavors/nova_flavors/reconcile.py
@@ -14,13 +14,6 @@
 logger = setup_logger(__name__, level=loglevel)
 
 
-flavors_dir = ""
-
-
-def read_flavors():
-    return FlavorSpec.from_directory(flavors_dir)
-
-
 def main():
     # nonprod vs prod
     flavors_dir = os.getenv("FLAVORS_DIR", "")
@@ -35,7 +28,9 @@ def main():
         auth_url=os.getenv("OS_AUTH_URL"),
     )
 
-    handler = SpecChangedHandler(synchronizer, read_flavors)
+    handler = SpecChangedHandler(
+        synchronizer, lambda: FlavorSpec.from_directory(flavors_dir)
+    )
     observer = Observer()
     observer.schedule(handler, flavors_dir, recursive=True)
     logger.info(f"Watching for changes in {flavors_dir}")
diff --git a/operators/nova-flavors/tests/test_reconcile.py b/operators/nova-flavors/tests/test_reconcile.py
index 7e21a192e..7734ee77a 100644
--- a/operators/nova-flavors/tests/test_reconcile.py
+++ b/operators/nova-flavors/tests/test_reconcile.py
@@ -4,11 +4,9 @@
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from nova_flavors.reconcile import (
-    FlavorSpec,
     FlavorSynchronizer,
     SpecChangedHandler,
     main,
-    read_flavors,
 )
 from watchdog.observers import Observer
 
@@ -30,29 +28,6 @@ def test_flavors_dir_env_var_not_set(mocker, return_value):
         main()
 
 
-@patch.dict(
-    "os.environ",
-    {
-        "FLAVORS_ENV": "testenv",
-        "NOVA_FLAVOR_MONITOR_LOGLEVEL": "info",
-        "FLAVORS_DIR": "/",
-    },
-)
-def test_read_flavors(mocker):
-    # Set up
-    mock_flavor_spec = mocker.Mock(spec=FlavorSpec)
-    mocker.patch(
-        "nova_flavors.reconcile.FlavorSpec.from_directory",
-        return_value=mock_flavor_spec,
-    )
-
-    # Execute
-    result = read_flavors()
-
-    # Verify
-    assert result == mock_flavor_spec
-
-
 @patch.dict(
     "os.environ",
     {