diff --git a/substrate/client/network/src/protocol.rs b/substrate/client/network/src/protocol.rs
index a06fff2322..c51667017d 100644
--- a/substrate/client/network/src/protocol.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/network/src/protocol.rs
@@ -1577,8 +1577,6 @@ where
 			} => {
 				// Set number 0 is hardcoded the default set of peers we sync from.
 				if set_id == HARDCODED_PEERSETS_SYNC {
-					debug_assert!(negotiated_fallback.is_none());
-
 					// `received_handshake` can be either a `Status` message if received from the
 					// legacy substream ,or a `BlockAnnouncesHandshake` if received from the block
 					// announces substream.