diff --git a/src/wallet.cpp b/src/wallet.cpp
index 897f53b8b7..be063ccb42 100644
--- a/src/wallet.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 #include "util.h"
 #include "utilmoneystr.h"
 
+#include <assert.h>
+
 #include <boost/algorithm/string/replace.hpp>
 #include <boost/thread.hpp>
 
@@ -444,7 +446,7 @@ bool CWallet::EncryptWallet(const SecureString& strWalletPassphrase)
             }
             // We now probably have half of our keys encrypted in memory, and half not...
             // die and let the user reload their unencrypted wallet.
-            exit(1);
+            assert(false);
         }
 
         // Encryption was introduced in version 0.4.0
@@ -456,7 +458,7 @@ bool CWallet::EncryptWallet(const SecureString& strWalletPassphrase)
                 delete pwalletdbEncryption;
                 // We now have keys encrypted in memory, but no on disk...
                 // die to avoid confusion and let the user reload their unencrypted wallet.
-                exit(1);
+                assert(false);
             }
 
             delete pwalletdbEncryption;