diff --git a/spinedb_api/db_mapping_base.py b/spinedb_api/db_mapping_base.py
index 5462c303..65a3f2f3 100644
--- a/spinedb_api/db_mapping_base.py
+++ b/spinedb_api/db_mapping_base.py
@@ -1018,6 +1018,8 @@ def cascade_update(self):
         """Updates this item and all its referrers in cascade.
         Also, calls items' update callbacks.
         """
+        if self._removed:
+            return
         self.call_update_callbacks()
         for referrer in self._referrers.values():
             referrer.cascade_update()
diff --git a/spinedb_api/mapped_items.py b/spinedb_api/mapped_items.py
index ba1a3430..c1d86e40 100644
--- a/spinedb_api/mapped_items.py
+++ b/spinedb_api/mapped_items.py
@@ -398,6 +398,7 @@ def resolve(self):
         return d
 
     def polish(self):
+        self["list_value_id"] = None
         error = super().polish()
         if error:
             return error