diff --git a/python/descriptor.c b/python/descriptor.c
index 105461294a..4d238bc4b8 100644
--- a/python/descriptor.c
+++ b/python/descriptor.c
@@ -212,7 +212,6 @@ PyObject* PyUpb_Descriptor_Get(const upb_MessageDef* m) {
 
 PyObject* PyUpb_Descriptor_GetClass(const upb_MessageDef* m) {
   PyObject* ret = PyUpb_ObjCache_Get(upb_MessageDef_MiniTable(m));
-  assert(ret);
   return ret;
 }