diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/configmap/configmap_controller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/configmap/configmap_controller_test.go
index 65e667df6ae..465b790d221 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/configmap/configmap_controller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/configmap/configmap_controller_test.go
@@ -38,27 +38,33 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
+const (
+	configmaps       string = "configmaps"
+	clusters         string = "clusters"
+	informerStoreErr string = "configmap should have appeared in the informer store"
+)
+
 func TestConfigMapController(t *testing.T) {
 	cluster1 := NewCluster("cluster1", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 	cluster2 := NewCluster("cluster2", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 
 	fakeClient := &fakefedclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
-	RegisterFakeList("configmaps", &fakeClient.Fake, &apiv1.ConfigMapList{Items: []apiv1.ConfigMap{}})
-	configmapWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("configmaps", &fakeClient.Fake)
-	configmapUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("configmaps", &fakeClient.Fake, configmapWatch)
-	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
+	RegisterFakeList(configmaps, &fakeClient.Fake, &apiv1.ConfigMapList{Items: []apiv1.ConfigMap{}})
+	configmapWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(configmaps, &fakeClient.Fake)
+	configmapUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(configmaps, &fakeClient.Fake, configmapWatch)
+	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake)
 
 	cluster1Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("configmaps", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("configmaps", &cluster1Client.Fake, &apiv1.ConfigMapList{Items: []apiv1.ConfigMap{}})
-	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("configmaps", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
-	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("configmaps", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(configmaps, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(configmaps, &cluster1Client.Fake, &apiv1.ConfigMapList{Items: []apiv1.ConfigMap{}})
+	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(configmaps, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(configmaps, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
 
 	cluster2Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("configmaps", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("configmaps", &cluster2Client.Fake, &apiv1.ConfigMapList{Items: []apiv1.ConfigMap{}})
-	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("configmaps", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
+	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(configmaps, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(configmaps, &cluster2Client.Fake, &apiv1.ConfigMapList{Items: []apiv1.ConfigMap{}})
+	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(configmaps, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
 
 	configmapController := NewConfigMapController(fakeClient)
 	informer := ToFederatedInformerForTestOnly(configmapController.configmapFederatedInformer)
@@ -111,7 +117,7 @@ func TestConfigMapController(t *testing.T) {
 	err := WaitForStoreUpdate(
 		configmapController.configmapFederatedInformer.GetTargetStore(),
 		cluster1.Name, types.NamespacedName{Namespace: configmap1.Namespace, Name: configmap1.Name}.String(), wait.ForeverTestTimeout)
-	assert.Nil(t, err, "configmap should have appeared in the informer store")
+	assert.Nil(t, err, informerStoreErr)
 
 	// Test update federated configmap.
 	configmap1.Annotations = map[string]string{
@@ -129,7 +135,7 @@ func TestConfigMapController(t *testing.T) {
 		configmapController.configmapFederatedInformer.GetTargetStore(),
 		cluster1.Name, types.NamespacedName{Namespace: configmap1.Namespace, Name: configmap1.Name}.String(),
 		configmap1, wait.ForeverTestTimeout)
-	assert.Nil(t, err, "configmap should have appeared in the informer store")
+	assert.Nil(t, err, informerStoreErr)
 
 	// Test update federated configmap.
 	configmap1.Data = map[string]string{
@@ -155,8 +161,11 @@ func TestConfigMapController(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func GetConfigMapFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *apiv1.ConfigMap {
-	configmap := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*apiv1.ConfigMap)
-	return configmap
+	if configmap := GetObjectFromChan(c); configmap == nil {
+		return nil
+	} else {
+		return configmap.(*apiv1.ConfigMap)
+	}
 }
 
 // Wait till the store is updated with latest configmap.
diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/daemonset/daemonset_controller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/daemonset/daemonset_controller_test.go
index 3ac9052ba89..ef01b8d30a7 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/daemonset/daemonset_controller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/daemonset/daemonset_controller_test.go
@@ -38,27 +38,32 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
+const (
+	daemonsets string = "daemonsets"
+	clusters   string = "clusters"
+)
+
 func TestDaemonSetController(t *testing.T) {
 	cluster1 := NewCluster("cluster1", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 	cluster2 := NewCluster("cluster2", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 
 	fakeClient := &fakefedclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
-	RegisterFakeList("daemonsets", &fakeClient.Fake, &extensionsv1.DaemonSetList{Items: []extensionsv1.DaemonSet{}})
-	daemonsetWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("daemonsets", &fakeClient.Fake)
-	daemonsetUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("daemonsets", &fakeClient.Fake, daemonsetWatch)
+	RegisterFakeList(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
+	RegisterFakeList(daemonsets, &fakeClient.Fake, &extensionsv1.DaemonSetList{Items: []extensionsv1.DaemonSet{}})
+	daemonsetWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(daemonsets, &fakeClient.Fake)
+	daemonsetUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(daemonsets, &fakeClient.Fake, daemonsetWatch)
 	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake)
 
 	cluster1Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("daemonsets", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("daemonsets", &cluster1Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DaemonSetList{Items: []extensionsv1.DaemonSet{}})
-	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("daemonsets", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
-	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("daemonsets", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(daemonsets, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(daemonsets, &cluster1Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DaemonSetList{Items: []extensionsv1.DaemonSet{}})
+	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(daemonsets, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(daemonsets, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
 
 	cluster2Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("daemonsets", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("daemonsets", &cluster2Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DaemonSetList{Items: []extensionsv1.DaemonSet{}})
-	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("daemonsets", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
+	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(daemonsets, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(daemonsets, &cluster2Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DaemonSetList{Items: []extensionsv1.DaemonSet{}})
+	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(daemonsets, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
 
 	daemonsetController := NewDaemonSetController(fakeClient)
 	informer := ToFederatedInformerForTestOnly(daemonsetController.daemonsetFederatedInformer)
@@ -152,6 +157,10 @@ func daemonsetsEqual(a, b extensionsv1.DaemonSet) bool {
 }
 
 func GetDaemonSetFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *extensionsv1.DaemonSet {
-	daemonset := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*extensionsv1.DaemonSet)
-	return daemonset
+	if daemonset := GetObjectFromChan(c); daemonset == nil {
+		return nil
+	} else {
+		return daemonset.(*extensionsv1.DaemonSet)
+	}
+
 }
diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/deployment/deploymentcontroller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/deployment/deploymentcontroller_test.go
index 7a857fde9aa..1d72fc8e5db 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/deployment/deploymentcontroller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/deployment/deploymentcontroller_test.go
@@ -38,6 +38,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
+const (
+	deployments = "deployments"
+	pods        = "pods"
+)
+
 func TestParseFederationDeploymentPreference(t *testing.T) {
 	successPrefs := []string{
 		`{"rebalance": true,
@@ -87,23 +92,23 @@ func TestDeploymentController(t *testing.T) {
 	fakeClient := &fakefedclientset.Clientset{}
 	// Add an update reactor on fake client to return the desired updated object.
 	// This is a hack to workaround https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/40939.
-	AddFakeUpdateReactor("deployments", &fakeClient.Fake)
+	AddFakeUpdateReactor(deployments, &fakeClient.Fake)
 	RegisterFakeList("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake, &fedv1.ClusterList{Items: []fedv1.Cluster{*cluster1}})
-	deploymentsWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("deployments", &fakeClient.Fake)
+	deploymentsWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(deployments, &fakeClient.Fake)
 	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake)
 
 	cluster1Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("deployments", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	_ = RegisterFakeWatch("pods", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("deployments", &cluster1Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DeploymentList{Items: []extensionsv1.Deployment{}})
-	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("deployments", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
-	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("deployments", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(deployments, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	_ = RegisterFakeWatch(pods, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(deployments, &cluster1Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DeploymentList{Items: []extensionsv1.Deployment{}})
+	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(deployments, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(deployments, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
 
 	cluster2Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("deployments", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	_ = RegisterFakeWatch("pods", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("deployments", &cluster2Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DeploymentList{Items: []extensionsv1.Deployment{}})
-	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("deployments", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
+	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(deployments, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	_ = RegisterFakeWatch(pods, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(deployments, &cluster2Client.Fake, &extensionsv1.DeploymentList{Items: []extensionsv1.Deployment{}})
+	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(deployments, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
 
 	deploymentController := NewDeploymentController(fakeClient)
 	clientFactory := func(cluster *fedv1.Cluster) (kubeclientset.Interface, error) {
@@ -171,11 +176,6 @@ func TestDeploymentController(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, CheckObjectFromChan(cluster2CreateChan, checkDeployment(dep2, 3)))
 }
 
-func GetDeploymentFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *extensionsv1.Deployment {
-	secret := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*extensionsv1.Deployment)
-	return secret
-}
-
 func newDeploymentWithReplicas(name string, replicas int32) *extensionsv1.Deployment {
 	return &extensionsv1.Deployment{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/ingress/ingress_controller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/ingress/ingress_controller_test.go
index 132532a447d..df0145c5138 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/ingress/ingress_controller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/ingress/ingress_controller_test.go
@@ -43,7 +43,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	maxTrials = 20
+	maxTrials         = 20
+	clusters   string = "clusters"
+	ingresses  string = "ingresses"
+	configmaps string = "configmaps"
 )
 
 func TestIngressController(t *testing.T) {
@@ -57,28 +60,28 @@ func TestIngressController(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Log("Creating fake infrastructure")
 	fedClient := &fakefedclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("clusters", &fedClient.Fake, &fakeClusterList)
-	RegisterFakeList("ingresses", &fedClient.Fake, &extensionsv1beta1.IngressList{Items: []extensionsv1beta1.Ingress{}})
-	fedIngressWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("ingresses", &fedClient.Fake)
-	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("clusters", &fedClient.Fake)
-	fedClusterUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("clusters", &fedClient.Fake, clusterWatch)
-	fedIngressUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("ingresses", &fedClient.Fake, fedIngressWatch)
+	RegisterFakeList(clusters, &fedClient.Fake, &fakeClusterList)
+	RegisterFakeList(ingresses, &fedClient.Fake, &extensionsv1beta1.IngressList{Items: []extensionsv1beta1.Ingress{}})
+	fedIngressWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(ingresses, &fedClient.Fake)
+	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(clusters, &fedClient.Fake)
+	fedClusterUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(clusters, &fedClient.Fake, clusterWatch)
+	fedIngressUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(ingresses, &fedClient.Fake, fedIngressWatch)
 
 	cluster1Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("ingresses", &cluster1Client.Fake, &extensionsv1beta1.IngressList{Items: []extensionsv1beta1.Ingress{}})
-	RegisterFakeList("configmaps", &cluster1Client.Fake, &fakeConfigMapList1)
-	cluster1IngressWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("ingresses", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	cluster1ConfigMapWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("configmaps", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	cluster1IngressCreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("ingresses", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1IngressWatch)
-	cluster1IngressUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("ingresses", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1IngressWatch)
+	RegisterFakeList(ingresses, &cluster1Client.Fake, &extensionsv1beta1.IngressList{Items: []extensionsv1beta1.Ingress{}})
+	RegisterFakeList(configmaps, &cluster1Client.Fake, &fakeConfigMapList1)
+	cluster1IngressWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(ingresses, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	cluster1ConfigMapWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(configmaps, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	cluster1IngressCreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(ingresses, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1IngressWatch)
+	cluster1IngressUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(ingresses, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1IngressWatch)
 
 	cluster2Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("ingresses", &cluster2Client.Fake, &extensionsv1beta1.IngressList{Items: []extensionsv1beta1.Ingress{}})
-	RegisterFakeList("configmaps", &cluster2Client.Fake, &fakeConfigMapList2)
-	cluster2IngressWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("ingresses", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	cluster2ConfigMapWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("configmaps", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	cluster2IngressCreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("ingresses", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2IngressWatch)
-	cluster2ConfigMapUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("configmaps", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2ConfigMapWatch)
+	RegisterFakeList(ingresses, &cluster2Client.Fake, &extensionsv1beta1.IngressList{Items: []extensionsv1beta1.Ingress{}})
+	RegisterFakeList(configmaps, &cluster2Client.Fake, &fakeConfigMapList2)
+	cluster2IngressWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(ingresses, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	cluster2ConfigMapWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(configmaps, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	cluster2IngressCreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(ingresses, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2IngressWatch)
+	cluster2ConfigMapUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(configmaps, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2ConfigMapWatch)
 
 	clientFactoryFunc := func(cluster *federationapi.Cluster) (kubeclientset.Interface, error) {
 		switch cluster.Name {
@@ -263,6 +266,11 @@ func TestIngressController(t *testing.T) {
 
 func GetIngressFromChan(t *testing.T, c chan runtime.Object) *extensionsv1beta1.Ingress {
 	obj := GetObjectFromChan(c)
+
+	if obj == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	ingress, ok := obj.(*extensionsv1beta1.Ingress)
 	if !ok {
 		t.Logf("Object on channel was not of type *extensionsv1beta1.Ingress: %v", obj)
@@ -271,13 +279,20 @@ func GetIngressFromChan(t *testing.T, c chan runtime.Object) *extensionsv1beta1.
 }
 
 func GetConfigMapFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *apiv1.ConfigMap {
-	configMap, _ := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*apiv1.ConfigMap)
-	return configMap
+	if configMap := GetObjectFromChan(c); configMap == nil {
+		return nil
+	} else {
+		return configMap.(*apiv1.ConfigMap)
+	}
+
 }
 
 func GetClusterFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *federationapi.Cluster {
-	cluster, _ := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*federationapi.Cluster)
-	return cluster
+	if cluster := GetObjectFromChan(c); cluster == nil {
+		return nil
+	} else {
+		return cluster.(*federationapi.Cluster)
+	}
 }
 
 func NewConfigMap(uid string) *apiv1.ConfigMap {
diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/namespace/namespace_controller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/namespace/namespace_controller_test.go
index 7a24a98bf7b..fe022c1a9c6 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/namespace/namespace_controller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/namespace/namespace_controller_test.go
@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
+const (
+	namespaces string = "namespaces"
+	clusters   string = "clusters"
+)
+
 func TestNamespaceController(t *testing.T) {
 	cluster1 := NewCluster("cluster1", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 	cluster2 := NewCluster("cluster2", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
@@ -53,24 +58,24 @@ func TestNamespaceController(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	fakeClient := &fakefedclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
-	RegisterFakeList("namespaces", &fakeClient.Fake, &apiv1.NamespaceList{Items: []apiv1.Namespace{}})
-	namespaceWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("namespaces", &fakeClient.Fake)
-	namespaceCreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("namespaces", &fakeClient.Fake, namespaceWatch)
-	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
+	RegisterFakeList(namespaces, &fakeClient.Fake, &apiv1.NamespaceList{Items: []apiv1.Namespace{}})
+	namespaceWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(namespaces, &fakeClient.Fake)
+	namespaceCreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(namespaces, &fakeClient.Fake, namespaceWatch)
+	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake)
 
 	cluster1Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("namespaces", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("namespaces", &cluster1Client.Fake, &apiv1.NamespaceList{Items: []apiv1.Namespace{}})
-	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("namespaces", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
-	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("namespaces", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(namespaces, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(namespaces, &cluster1Client.Fake, &apiv1.NamespaceList{Items: []apiv1.Namespace{}})
+	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(namespaces, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(namespaces, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
 
 	cluster2Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("namespaces", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("namespaces", &cluster2Client.Fake, &apiv1.NamespaceList{Items: []apiv1.Namespace{}})
-	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("namespaces", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
+	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(namespaces, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(namespaces, &cluster2Client.Fake, &apiv1.NamespaceList{Items: []apiv1.Namespace{}})
+	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(namespaces, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
 
-	nsDeleteChan := RegisterDelete(&fakeClient.Fake, "namespaces")
+	nsDeleteChan := RegisterDelete(&fakeClient.Fake, namespaces)
 	namespaceController := NewNamespaceController(fakeClient, dynamic.NewDynamicClientPool(&restclient.Config{}))
 	informerClientFactory := func(cluster *federationapi.Cluster) (kubeclientset.Interface, error) {
 		switch cluster.Name {
@@ -175,7 +180,9 @@ func GetStringFromChan(c chan string) string {
 }
 
 func GetNamespaceFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *apiv1.Namespace {
-	namespace := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*apiv1.Namespace)
-	return namespace
-
+	if namespace := GetObjectFromChan(c); namespace == nil {
+		return nil
+	} else {
+		return namespace.(*apiv1.Namespace)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/replicaset/replicasetcontroller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/replicaset/replicasetcontroller_test.go
index a8539ccaa4b..732b4a8007c 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/replicaset/replicasetcontroller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/replicaset/replicasetcontroller_test.go
@@ -37,6 +37,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
+const (
+	pods        = "pods"
+	replicasets = "replicasets"
+	k8s1        = "k8s-1"
+	k8s2        = "k8s-2"
+)
+
 func TestParseFederationReplicaSetReference(t *testing.T) {
 	successPrefs := []string{
 		`{"rebalance": true,
@@ -82,27 +89,27 @@ func TestReplicaSetController(t *testing.T) {
 
 	fedclientset := fedclientfake.NewSimpleClientset()
 	fedrswatch := watch.NewFake()
-	fedclientset.PrependWatchReactor("replicasets", core.DefaultWatchReactor(fedrswatch, nil))
+	fedclientset.PrependWatchReactor(replicasets, core.DefaultWatchReactor(fedrswatch, nil))
 
-	fedclientset.Federation().Clusters().Create(testutil.NewCluster("k8s-1", apiv1.ConditionTrue))
-	fedclientset.Federation().Clusters().Create(testutil.NewCluster("k8s-2", apiv1.ConditionTrue))
+	fedclientset.Federation().Clusters().Create(testutil.NewCluster(k8s1, apiv1.ConditionTrue))
+	fedclientset.Federation().Clusters().Create(testutil.NewCluster(k8s2, apiv1.ConditionTrue))
 
 	kube1clientset := kubeclientfake.NewSimpleClientset()
 	kube1rswatch := watch.NewFake()
-	kube1clientset.PrependWatchReactor("replicasets", core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube1rswatch, nil))
+	kube1clientset.PrependWatchReactor(replicasets, core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube1rswatch, nil))
 	kube1Podwatch := watch.NewFake()
-	kube1clientset.PrependWatchReactor("pods", core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube1Podwatch, nil))
+	kube1clientset.PrependWatchReactor(pods, core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube1Podwatch, nil))
 	kube2clientset := kubeclientfake.NewSimpleClientset()
 	kube2rswatch := watch.NewFake()
-	kube2clientset.PrependWatchReactor("replicasets", core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube2rswatch, nil))
+	kube2clientset.PrependWatchReactor(replicasets, core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube2rswatch, nil))
 	kube2Podwatch := watch.NewFake()
-	kube2clientset.PrependWatchReactor("pods", core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube2Podwatch, nil))
+	kube2clientset.PrependWatchReactor(pods, core.DefaultWatchReactor(kube2Podwatch, nil))
 
 	fedInformerClientFactory := func(cluster *fedv1.Cluster) (kubeclientset.Interface, error) {
 		switch cluster.Name {
-		case "k8s-1":
+		case k8s1:
 			return kube1clientset, nil
-		case "k8s-2":
+		case k8s2:
 			return kube2clientset, nil
 		default:
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("Unknown cluster: %v", cluster.Name)
diff --git a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/secret/secret_controller_test.go b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/secret/secret_controller_test.go
index 24b790dad2e..5532a8025c8 100644
--- a/federation/pkg/federation-controller/secret/secret_controller_test.go
+++ b/federation/pkg/federation-controller/secret/secret_controller_test.go
@@ -39,27 +39,32 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
+const (
+	clusters string = "clusters"
+	secrets  string = "secrets"
+)
+
 func TestSecretController(t *testing.T) {
 	cluster1 := NewCluster("cluster1", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 	cluster2 := NewCluster("cluster2", apiv1.ConditionTrue)
 
 	fakeClient := &fakefedclientset.Clientset{}
-	RegisterFakeList("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
-	RegisterFakeList("secrets", &fakeClient.Fake, &apiv1.SecretList{Items: []apiv1.Secret{}})
-	secretWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("secrets", &fakeClient.Fake)
-	secretUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("secrets", &fakeClient.Fake, secretWatch)
-	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch("clusters", &fakeClient.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake, &federationapi.ClusterList{Items: []federationapi.Cluster{*cluster1}})
+	RegisterFakeList(secrets, &fakeClient.Fake, &apiv1.SecretList{Items: []apiv1.Secret{}})
+	secretWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(secrets, &fakeClient.Fake)
+	secretUpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(secrets, &fakeClient.Fake, secretWatch)
+	clusterWatch := RegisterFakeWatch(clusters, &fakeClient.Fake)
 
 	cluster1Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("secrets", &cluster1Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("secrets", &cluster1Client.Fake, &apiv1.SecretList{Items: []apiv1.Secret{}})
-	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("secrets", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
-	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate("secrets", &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(secrets, &cluster1Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(secrets, &cluster1Client.Fake, &apiv1.SecretList{Items: []apiv1.Secret{}})
+	cluster1CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(secrets, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
+	cluster1UpdateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnUpdate(secrets, &cluster1Client.Fake, cluster1Watch)
 
 	cluster2Client := &fakekubeclientset.Clientset{}
-	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch("secrets", &cluster2Client.Fake)
-	RegisterFakeList("secrets", &cluster2Client.Fake, &apiv1.SecretList{Items: []apiv1.Secret{}})
-	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate("secrets", &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
+	cluster2Watch := RegisterFakeWatch(secrets, &cluster2Client.Fake)
+	RegisterFakeList(secrets, &cluster2Client.Fake, &apiv1.SecretList{Items: []apiv1.Secret{}})
+	cluster2CreateChan := RegisterFakeCopyOnCreate(secrets, &cluster2Client.Fake, cluster2Watch)
 
 	secretController := NewSecretController(fakeClient)
 	informerClientFactory := func(cluster *federationapi.Cluster) (kubeclientset.Interface, error) {
@@ -185,8 +190,11 @@ func secretsEqual(a, b apiv1.Secret) bool {
 }
 
 func GetSecretFromChan(c chan runtime.Object) *apiv1.Secret {
-	secret := GetObjectFromChan(c).(*apiv1.Secret)
-	return secret
+	if secret := GetObjectFromChan(c); secret == nil {
+		return nil
+	} else {
+		return secret.(*apiv1.Secret)
+	}
 }
 
 // Wait till the store is updated with latest secret.