Transmutation potion not working on corpses and KO'd bodies

If a minion is killed or KO'd while within the AoE of a transmutation potion, it turns into a gold statue. But if the minion is already dead, the potion has no effect. And if the minion was in a KO'd state before you dropped the potion, it's even worse - the body is destroyed but you get no statue for your trouble!