diff --git a/items.lua b/items.lua
index 8d69a73..31cb5dc 100644
--- a/items.lua
+++ b/items.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,18 @@ for _,v in ipairs(peripheral.getNames()) do
   end
 end
 
+local function countPopulated(chest)
+  local count = 0
+  local list = chest.list()
+  for _,_ in ipairs(list) do
+    count = count + 1
+  end
+  for _,_ in pairs(list) do
+    count = count + 1
+  end
+  return count
+end
+
 local function countNamed(tbl)
   local count = 0
   for _,_ in pairs(tbl) do
@@ -62,7 +74,7 @@ function Cache.makeCache(cacheLoader)
     print(percent:sub(1, math.min(#percent, 6))..("0"):rep(6 - #percent).."%  ("..progress.."/"..count..")")
 
     local entry = nil
-    if #chest.list() == 0 and type(cacheLoader) == "function" then
+    if countPopulated(chest) == 0 and type(cacheLoader) == "function" then
       entry = cacheLoader(name, chest)
     end