If you want to test, you would take this version of MessageTopicIcons.class.php and replace sources/subs/MessageTopicIcons.class.php
You would then have to edit the file sources/subs/TopicUtil.class.php
$icon_sources = new MessageTopicIcons(!empty($modSettings['messageIconChecks_enable']), $settings['theme_dir']);
$icon_sources = new MessageTopicIcons(!empty($modSettings['messageIconChecks_enable']), $settings['theme_dir'], $topics_info);
But not this is just a proposal at this point, there may be a better fix