A fastener cartridge assembly (210) for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The fastener cartridge assembly can include a cartridge body (214), a plurality of fasteners removably stored within the cartridge body, and an implantable layer (220). The fastener cartridge assembly and/or the surgical instrument can include a lockout system (212) configured to deactivate the fastener cartridge assembly and/or surgical instrument in the event that the implantable layer is prematurely removed from the fastener cartridge.