diff --git a/src/common/kernel/xmlreader.c b/src/common/kernel/xmlreader.c
index 92e71a83f..cb3cc956b 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/xmlreader.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/xmlreader.c
@@ -182,7 +182,11 @@ xml_readconstruction(xmlXPathContextPtr xpath, xmlNodeSetPtr nodeSet, constructi
     propValue = xmlGetProp(node, BAD_CAST "skill");
     if (propValue!=NULL) {
       sk = sk_find((const char*)propValue);
-      assert(sk!=NOSKILL);
+      if (sk==NOSKILL) {
+        log_error(("construction requires skill '%s' that does not exist.", (const char *)propValue));
+        xmlFree(propValue);
+        continue;
+      }
       xmlFree(propValue);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/res/e2k9.xml b/src/res/e2k9.xml
index 0374db2d6..f0f044978 100644
--- a/src/res/e2k9.xml
+++ b/src/res/e2k9.xml
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@
     <skill name="training" enable="true"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" enable="true"/>
     <skill name="weaponsmithing" enable="true"/>
-    <skill name="herbalism" enable="true"/>
+
+    <skill name="herbalism" enable="false"/>
 
     <skill name="alchemy" enable="false"/>
     <skill name="entertainment" enable="false"/>
diff --git a/src/scripts/tests.lua b/src/scripts/tests.lua
index c18527bbc..498985a78 100644
--- a/src/scripts/tests.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/tests.lua
@@ -371,6 +371,19 @@ function test_market()
   assert(len>1)
 end
 
+function test_herbalism()
+  free_game()
+  local r = region.create(0, 0, "plain")
+  local f = faction.create("enno@eressea.de", "human", "de")
+  f.id = 42
+  local u = unit.create(f, r, 1)
+  u:add_item("money", u.number * 100)
+  u:set_skill("herbalism", 5)
+  u:clear_orders()
+  u:add_order("MACHE Samen")
+  process_orders()
+end
+
 function test_storage()
   free_game()
   local r = region.create(0, 0, "plain")
@@ -412,10 +425,12 @@ tests = {
     ["rename"] = test_rename,
     ["recruit"] = test_recruit,
     ["spells"] = test_spells,
-    ["storage"] = test_storage
+    ["herbalism"] = test_herbalism,
+    ["storage"] = test_storage,
+    ["market"] = test_market
 }
 mytests = {
-    ["market"] = test_market
+    ["herbalism"] = test_herbalism
 }
 fail = 0
 for k, v in pairs(mytests) do