diff --git a/query/src/org/labkey/query/sql/QIfDefined.java b/query/src/org/labkey/query/sql/QIfDefined.java
index 59553299738..ebb1d433bca 100644
--- a/query/src/org/labkey/query/sql/QIfDefined.java
+++ b/query/src/org/labkey/query/sql/QIfDefined.java
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ void setQuerySelect(QuerySelect select)
     @Override
     public FieldKey getFieldKey()
     {
-        assert null != select;
         return ((QExpr)getFirstChild()).getFieldKey();
     }