diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index f68673e97..271df9869 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -479,6 +479,7 @@ jobs:
             icecube/skymap_scanner:local \
             python -m skymap_scanner.client.reco_icetray \
             --in-pkl /local/pkls/in.pkl \
+            --reco-algo ${{ matrix.reco_algo }} \
             --gcdqp-packet-json /local/pkls/GCDQp_packet.json \
             --baseline-gcd-file $(jq -r '.baseline_GCD_file' tests/data/reco_pixel_pkls/${{ matrix.reco_algo }}/${{ matrix.dir }}/startup.json) \
             --out-pkl /local/pkls/out.pkl
diff --git a/skymap_scanner/client/reco_icetray.py b/skymap_scanner/client/reco_icetray.py
index d7a791a19..edd5dc02b 100644
--- a/skymap_scanner/client/reco_icetray.py
+++ b/skymap_scanner/client/reco_icetray.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, List, Union
 
-from icecube.icetray import I3Tray  # type: ignore[import]
 from icecube import (  # type: ignore[import]  # noqa: F401
     dataio,
     frame_object_diff,
@@ -20,6 +19,7 @@
     photonics_service,
 )
 from icecube.frame_object_diff.segments import uncompress  # type: ignore[import]
+from icecube.icetray import I3Tray  # type: ignore[import]
 from wipac_dev_tools import argparse_tools, logging_tools
 
 from .. import config as cfg
@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     # "physics" args
     parser.add_argument(
         "--reco-algo",
+        required=True,
         choices=recos.get_all_reco_algos(),
         help="The reconstruction algorithm to use",
     )