diff --git a/lib/cdist/emulator.py b/lib/cdist/emulator.py
index 4445f0f7..ca65e731 100644
--- a/lib/cdist/emulator.py
+++ b/lib/cdist/emulator.py
@@ -106,8 +106,19 @@ def run(argv):
     # Record requirements
     if "require" in os.environ:
         requirements = os.environ['require']
-        log.debug("%s:Writing requirements: %s" % (cdist_object.path, requirements))
-        cdist_object.requirements.extend(requirements.split(" "))
+        for requirement in requirements.split(" "):
+            requirement_parts = requirement.split(os.sep, 1)
+            requirement_parts.reverse()
+            requirement_type_name = requirement_parts.pop()
+            try:
+                requirement_object_id = requirement_parts.pop()
+            except IndexError:
+                # no object id, must be singleton
+                requirement_object_id = 'singleton'
+            if requirement_object_id.startswith('/'):
+                raise core.IllegalObjectIdError(requirement_object_id, 'object_id may not start with /')
+            log.debug("Recording requirement: %s -> %s" % (cdist_object.path, requirement))
+            cdist_object.requirements.append(rement_object_id)
 
     # Record / Append source
     cdist_object.source.append(object_source)