diff --git a/ietf/api/tests.py b/ietf/api/tests.py
index b93eeaa9b..0f0408f02 100644
--- a/ietf/api/tests.py
+++ b/ietf/api/tests.py
@@ -109,6 +109,10 @@ class CustomApiTestCase(TestCase):
                                     'item': '5', 'url': video, })
         self.assertContains(r, "No item '5' found in list of sessions for group", status_code=400)
 
+        r = self.client.post(url, {'apikey': apikey.hash(), 'meeting': meeting.number, 'group': group.acronym,
+                                    'item': 'foo', 'url': video, })
+        self.assertContains(r, "Expected a numeric value for 'item', found 'foo'", status_code=400)
+
         r = self.client.post(url, {'apikey': apikey.hash(), 'meeting': meeting.number, 'group': group.acronym,
                                     'item': '1', 'url': video, })
         self.assertContains(r, "Done", status_code=200)