diff --git a/hw/net/cadence_gem.c b/hw/net/cadence_gem.c
index d95cc27f58..7f63411430 100644
--- a/hw/net/cadence_gem.c
+++ b/hw/net/cadence_gem.c
@@ -979,7 +979,6 @@ static ssize_t gem_receive(NetClientState *nc, const uint8_t *buf, size_t size)
 
         /* Do nothing if receive is not enabled. */
         if (!gem_can_receive(nc)) {
-            assert(!first_desc);
             return -1;
         }