diff --git a/src/net_processing.cpp b/src/net_processing.cpp
index 8e503f89db..38b9703d91 100644
--- a/src/net_processing.cpp
+++ b/src/net_processing.cpp
@@ -3006,6 +3006,7 @@ void PeerLogicValidation::ConsiderEviction(CNode *pto, int64_t time_in_seconds)
                 LogPrintf("Disconnecting outbound peer %d for old chain, best known block = %s\n", pto->GetId(), state.pindexBestKnownBlock != nullptr ? state.pindexBestKnownBlock->GetBlockHash().ToString() : "<none>");
                 pto->fDisconnect = true;
             } else {
+                assert(state.m_chain_sync.m_work_header);
                 LogPrint(BCLog::NET, "sending getheaders to outbound peer=%d to verify chain work (current best known block:%s, benchmark blockhash: %s)\n", pto->GetId(), state.pindexBestKnownBlock != nullptr ? state.pindexBestKnownBlock->GetBlockHash().ToString() : "<none>", state.m_chain_sync.m_work_header->GetBlockHash().ToString());
                 connman->PushMessage(pto, msgMaker.Make(NetMsgType::GETHEADERS, chainActive.GetLocator(state.m_chain_sync.m_work_header->pprev), uint256()));
                 state.m_chain_sync.m_sent_getheaders = true;