diff --git a/crates/effects/src/solids/source.rs b/crates/effects/src/solids/source.rs
index 9ab348f4a..090688c4f 100644
--- a/crates/effects/src/solids/source.rs
+++ b/crates/effects/src/solids/source.rs
@@ -99,14 +99,15 @@ impl Resolver<'_> {
     fn spend(&mut self, steps: usize) -> Result<(), String> {
         self.work = self.work.saturating_add(steps);
         if self.work > MAX_WORK {
-            return Err(format!(
-                "{} can't build solids from this art: its symbol instances, blends and clipping groups hold too many objects",
-                self.label
-            ));
+            return Err(self.too_much_work());
         }
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    fn too_much_work(&self) -> String {
+        format!("{} can't build solids from this art: its symbol instances, blends and clipping groups hold too many objects", self.label)
+    }
+
     /// `f` run on the art of `c`. The effects of an object or group can move its art into a clip,
     /// so inside one with effects no image is left out for lying outside the clip ([`Self::shown`]).
     fn inside<T>(&mut self, c: &Node, f: impl FnOnce(&mut Self) -> Result<T, String>) -> Result<T, String> {
@@ -129,6 +130,11 @@ impl Resolver<'_> {
         self.spend(1)?;
         match &n.kind {
             NodeKind::SymbolInstance { symbol, .. } => {
+                // Counted before the art is placed, so a symbol past the limit is never copied.
+                let held = self.doc.and_then(|d| d.symbols.iter().find(|s| s.name == *symbol)).map_or(0, |s| s.art.count_with_masks());
+                if self.work.saturating_add(held) > MAX_WORK {
+                    return Err(self.too_much_work());
+                }
                 let art = crate::outline_object(self.doc, n).ok_or_else(|| {
                     format!("{label} can't build a solid from the instance of symbol \"{symbol}\": the symbol's art isn't available")
                 })?;
diff --git a/crates/effects/src/solids/tests_sources.rs b/crates/effects/src/solids/tests_sources.rs
index ab97bdb51..35e89e61f 100644
--- a/crates/effects/src/solids/tests_sources.rs
+++ b/crates/effects/src/solids/tests_sources.rs
@@ -363,6 +363,18 @@ fn nested_symbol_instances_that_repeat_hidden_art_are_refused_past_the_work_limi
     assert!(solid_art_in(Some(&d), &n).is_some());
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn a_symbol_holding_more_objects_than_the_work_limit_is_refused_before_its_art_is_placed() {
+    let mut d = document();
+    let members = (0..=source::MAX_WORK).map(|i| Arc::new(rect(0, i as f64, 0.0, i as f64 + 1.0, 1.0, 0.0))).collect();
+    d.symbols.push(Symbol { dynamic: false, name: "Big".into(), art: Arc::new(Node::group(NodeId(0), members)) });
+    let n = with(instance(30, "Big", Affine::IDENTITY), EXTRUDE, json!({}));
+    let err = validate_three_d_in(Some(&d), &n, EXTRUDE, &json!({})).unwrap_err();
+    assert!(err.contains("hold too many objects"), "{err}");
+    let work = source::WORK.with(std::cell::Cell::get);
+    assert!(work <= 2, "refused before the symbol's art is placed and listed: {work}");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn empty_sources_and_sources_inside_sources_build_or_refuse_cleanly() {
     let mut d = document();