DBuffer decals have incorrect normals, even though there's nothing plugged in to it

The text is one decal. that renders fine. I have a second decal, the size of the incorrect normal area there, that is set to ‘DBuffer Translucent Normal’; ie it only affects the normal map and is masked by an alpha. currently, there’s nothing hooked up to it.
It’s just a blank material.

103383-02.png

without the blank decal, it looks like this:

Does anyone know what’s going on here?
I also posted this on the answerhub too, but the forums here seem to be more active…