diff --git a/boa_engine/src/bytecompiler.rs b/boa_engine/src/bytecompiler.rs
index e50a4173b9b..50450fd60cb 100644
--- a/boa_engine/src/bytecompiler.rs
+++ b/boa_engine/src/bytecompiler.rs
@@ -1515,11 +1515,12 @@ impl<'b> ByteCompiler<'b> {
                             break;
                         }
                     }
-                    assert!(
-                        found,
-                        "Undefined label '{}'",
-                        self.interner().resolve_expect(label_name)
-                    );
+                    if !found {
+                        return self.context.throw_syntax_error(format!(
+                            "Cannot use the undeclared label '{}'",
+                            self.interner().resolve_expect(label_name)
+                        ));
+                    }
                 } else {
                     self.jump_info
                         .last_mut()
diff --git a/boa_engine/src/tests.rs b/boa_engine/src/tests.rs
index 1d8176012a0..b93da4cc1c5 100644
--- a/boa_engine/src/tests.rs
+++ b/boa_engine/src/tests.rs
@@ -431,7 +431,6 @@ fn for_loop_iteration_variable_does_not_leak() {
 }
 
 #[test]
-#[should_panic]
 fn test_invalid_break_target() {
     let src = r#"
         while (false) {
@@ -439,7 +438,7 @@ fn test_invalid_break_target() {
         }
         "#;
 
-    let _ = &exec(src);
+    assert!(Context::default().eval(src).is_err());
 }
 
 #[test]