diff --git a/compiler/src/jdk.graal.compiler/src/jdk/graal/compiler/virtual/phases/ea/EffectsClosure.java b/compiler/src/jdk.graal.compiler/src/jdk/graal/compiler/virtual/phases/ea/EffectsClosure.java
index 16b215818415..66c09a261c09 100644
--- a/compiler/src/jdk.graal.compiler/src/jdk/graal/compiler/virtual/phases/ea/EffectsClosure.java
+++ b/compiler/src/jdk.graal.compiler/src/jdk/graal/compiler/virtual/phases/ea/EffectsClosure.java
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ protected List<Void> processLoop(CFGLoop<HIRBlock> loop, Void initialState) {
             effects.apply(graph, obsoleteNodes, true);
         }
         debug.dump(DebugContext.DETAILED_LEVEL, graph, "After applying effects");
-        assert VirtualUtil.assertNonReachable(graph, obsoleteNodes);
+        assert VirtualUtil.assertNonReachable(graph, obsoleteNodes) : Assertions.errorMessage("obsolete nodes should not be reachable: ", obsoleteNodes);
         for (Node node : obsoleteNodes) {
             if (node.isAlive() && node.hasNoUsages()) {
                 if (node instanceof FixedWithNextNode) {