I agree with gorn. If you don't have the novus equipped, why do you think you get light towards it?

I would be completely against this idea as it is very unfair to everyone else.

"Oops I 'forgot' to equip my Novus shield and opted to wear a higher level shield instead so it's easier for me to get light. Can I get my light for my relic anyway?"

People would abuse that. You don't reward people for making mistakes. Otherwise they would never learn from them.