diff --git a/lib/client.js b/lib/client.js
index f237fe02ab8..7d9ec8d7c27 100644
--- a/lib/client.js
+++ b/lib/client.js
@@ -1497,9 +1497,11 @@ function writeStream ({ body, client, request, socket, contentLength, header, ex
   const writer = new AsyncWriter({ socket, request, contentLength, client, expectsPayload, header })
 
   const onData = function (chunk) {
-    try {
-      assert(!finished)
+    if (finished) {
+      return
+    }
 
+    try {
       if (!writer.write(chunk) && this.pause) {
         this.pause()
       }
@@ -1508,7 +1510,9 @@ function writeStream ({ body, client, request, socket, contentLength, header, ex
     }
   }
   const onDrain = function () {
-    assert(!finished)
+    if (finished) {
+      return
+    }
 
     if (body.resume) {
       body.resume()