diff --git a/ConflictSet.cpp b/ConflictSet.cpp
index d93c986..ee091ee 100644
--- a/ConflictSet.cpp
+++ b/ConflictSet.cpp
@@ -2013,10 +2013,7 @@ struct CheckRangeRightSide {
 
   bool downLeftSpine() {
     phase = DownLeftSpine;
-    if (n == nullptr) {
-      ok = true;
-      return true;
-    }
+    assert(n != nullptr);
     return false;
   }
 };