diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-1/carousel-circle-1.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-1/carousel-circle-1.html
index 88f94f8ca0..c9da58b5f1 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-1/carousel-circle-1.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-1/carousel-circle-1.html
@@ -628,7 +628,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-2/carousel-circle-2.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-2/carousel-circle-2.html
index 63eff2bf13..2be49ff521 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-2/carousel-circle-2.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-2/carousel-circle-2.html
@@ -628,7 +628,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-3/carousel-circle-3.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-3/carousel-circle-3.html
index f84efe754c..36894b19bc 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-3/carousel-circle-3.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-3/carousel-circle-3.html
@@ -628,7 +628,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-4/carousel-circle-4.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-4/carousel-circle-4.html
index 47af0c728d..1486f6d017 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-4/carousel-circle-4.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-4/carousel-circle-4.html
@@ -628,7 +628,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-5/carousel-circle-5.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-5/carousel-circle-5.html
index 718aba5518..3e3e826f5b 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-5/carousel-circle-5.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-circle-5/carousel-circle-5.html
@@ -628,7 +628,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-1/carousel-orbit-1.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-1/carousel-orbit-1.html
index 9d2ca52c78..fdd1f3dedf 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-1/carousel-orbit-1.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-1/carousel-orbit-1.html
@@ -650,7 +650,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-2/carousel-orbit-2.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-2/carousel-orbit-2.html
index 61d80eb386..99a9019af0 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-2/carousel-orbit-2.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-2/carousel-orbit-2.html
@@ -650,7 +650,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-3/carousel-orbit-3.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-3/carousel-orbit-3.html
index 257bf717b3..c07cb23073 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-3/carousel-orbit-3.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-3/carousel-orbit-3.html
@@ -650,7 +650,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-4/carousel-orbit-4.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-4/carousel-orbit-4.html
index e529a037a7..d1cfeeac9f 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-4/carousel-orbit-4.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-4/carousel-orbit-4.html
@@ -666,7 +666,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-5/carousel-orbit-5.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-5/carousel-orbit-5.html
index ca047c5157..c9a1706de8 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-5/carousel-orbit-5.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-orbit-5/carousel-orbit-5.html
@@ -650,7 +650,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-1/carousel-path-1.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-1/carousel-path-1.html
index 6774c4209e..6470f31baa 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-1/carousel-path-1.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-1/carousel-path-1.html
@@ -672,7 +672,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-2/carousel-path-2.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-2/carousel-path-2.html
index 417bcd8904..dff6db7621 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-2/carousel-path-2.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-2/carousel-path-2.html
@@ -629,7 +629,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-3/carousel-path-3.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-3/carousel-path-3.html
index 5dd866b7ca..781ba59627 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-3/carousel-path-3.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-3/carousel-path-3.html
@@ -643,7 +643,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-4/carousel-path-4.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-4/carousel-path-4.html
index b75a769378..bcfc20d73c 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-4/carousel-path-4.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-4/carousel-path-4.html
@@ -672,7 +672,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-5/carousel-path-5.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-5/carousel-path-5.html
index 32390f07b2..e173a4e77d 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-path-5/carousel-path-5.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-path-5/carousel-path-5.html
@@ -671,7 +671,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-1/carousel-text-circle-1.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-1/carousel-text-circle-1.html
index 34ffb7a9c9..4b5e22f227 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-1/carousel-text-circle-1.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-1/carousel-text-circle-1.html
@@ -669,7 +669,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-2/carousel-text-circle-2.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-2/carousel-text-circle-2.html
index 901771fbfe..6378e8334f 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-2/carousel-text-circle-2.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-2/carousel-text-circle-2.html
@@ -669,7 +669,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-3/carousel-text-circle-3.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-3/carousel-text-circle-3.html
index 12450db1e6..aa5434cdee 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-3/carousel-text-circle-3.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-3/carousel-text-circle-3.html
@@ -669,7 +669,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-4/carousel-text-circle-4.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-4/carousel-text-circle-4.html
index 8b07b94d9e..d6fa6f74cc 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-4/carousel-text-circle-4.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-4/carousel-text-circle-4.html
@@ -669,7 +669,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-5/carousel-text-circle-5.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-5/carousel-text-circle-5.html
index 00e584b5c2..e7ed9d668d 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-5/carousel-text-circle-5.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-text-circle-5/carousel-text-circle-5.html
@@ -669,7 +669,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-1/carousel-vision-1.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-1/carousel-vision-1.html
index e71d8a39ae..33334d2f03 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-1/carousel-vision-1.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-1/carousel-vision-1.html
@@ -632,7 +632,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-2/carousel-vision-2.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-2/carousel-vision-2.html
index edfc82bdff..e71cd9629f 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-2/carousel-vision-2.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-2/carousel-vision-2.html
@@ -632,7 +632,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-3/carousel-vision-3.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-3/carousel-vision-3.html
index 5c46502124..e9d0e27dfe 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-3/carousel-vision-3.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-3/carousel-vision-3.html
@@ -632,7 +632,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-4/carousel-vision-4.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-4/carousel-vision-4.html
index 633480a496..9f101318df 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-4/carousel-vision-4.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-4/carousel-vision-4.html
@@ -639,7 +639,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-5/carousel-vision-5.html b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-5/carousel-vision-5.html
index ea02154c60..a58968f501 100644
--- a/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-5/carousel-vision-5.html
+++ b/registry/blocks/carousel-vision-5/carousel-vision-5.html
@@ -632,7 +632,8 @@
         const varUrl = (v) => (v && typeof v === "object" ? v.url || v.src || "" : v || "");
         if (REG) {
           const srcs = REG.imageVars.map(
-            (id, i) => varUrl(V[id]) || DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
+            (id, i) =>
+              varUrl(V[id]) || "assets/carousel-images/" + DATA.cards[i % DATA.cards.length].file,
           );
           DATA.cards = await Promise.all(
             srcs.map(async (src, i) => {
diff --git a/scripts/catalog/carousel-fallback.test.ts b/scripts/catalog/carousel-fallback.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..71a0129216
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/catalog/carousel-fallback.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { readdirSync, readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { join } from "node:path";
+
+const blocksDir = join(import.meta.dirname, "..", "..", "registry", "blocks");
+
+// The carousels draw each card from its image variable, or from the block's own
+// sample image when the variable resolves to nothing.
+const FALLBACK = /varUrl\(V\[id\]\)\s*\|\|\s*([^\n]*)DATA\.cards\[i % DATA\.cards\.length\]\.file/g;
+
+function carousels(): Array<{ block: string; prefixes: string[] }> {
+  return readdirSync(blocksDir, { withFileTypes: true })
+    .filter((entry) => entry.isDirectory())
+    .map(({ name }) => ({
+      block: name,
+      html: readFileSync(join(blocksDir, name, `${name}.html`), "utf8"),
+    }))
+    .filter(({ html }) => html.includes("varUrl(V[id])"))
+    .map(({ block, html }) => ({
+      block,
+      prefixes: [...html.matchAll(FALLBACK)].map((match) => match[1] ?? ""),
+    }));
+}
+
+describe("carousel image fallback", () => {
+  it("loads the sample image from the block's assets folder, not a bare file name", () => {
+    const found = carousels();
+    expect(found.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    for (const { block, prefixes } of found) {
+      expect(prefixes.length, block).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+      for (const prefix of prefixes) expect(prefix, block).toContain('"assets/carousel-images/" +');
+    }
+  });
+});