diff --git a/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/index/shard/IndexShard.java b/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/index/shard/IndexShard.java
index ea7e71a6dd938..4dcf7f5ab965a 100644
--- a/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/index/shard/IndexShard.java
+++ b/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/index/shard/IndexShard.java
@@ -2721,9 +2721,11 @@ public void updateGlobalCheckpointForShard(final String allocationId, final long
      * @param visibleCheckpoint the visible checkpoint
      */
     public void updateVisibleCheckpointForShard(final String allocationId, final ReplicationCheckpoint visibleCheckpoint) {
-        assert assertPrimaryMode();
-        verifyNotClosed();
-        replicationTracker.updateVisibleCheckpointForShard(allocationId, visibleCheckpoint);
+        // Update target replication checkpoint only when in active primary mode
+        if (shardRouting.primary() && replicationTracker.isPrimaryMode()) {
+            verifyNotClosed();
+            replicationTracker.updateVisibleCheckpointForShard(allocationId, visibleCheckpoint);
+        }
     }
 
     /**