diff --git a/src/reader.cpp b/src/reader.cpp
index d72ba03ed..e179d8bc2 100644
--- a/src/reader.cpp
+++ b/src/reader.cpp
@@ -1963,7 +1963,9 @@ void reader_data_t::set_command_line_and_position(editable_line_t *el, wcstring
 
 /// Undo the transient edit und update commandline accordingly.
 void reader_data_t::clear_transient_edit() {
-    assert(command_line_has_transient_edit);
+    if (!command_line_has_transient_edit) {
+        return;
+    }
     command_line.undo();
     update_buff_pos(&command_line);
     command_line_changed(&command_line);