diff --git a/libavutil/softfloat.h b/libavutil/softfloat.h
index 5b285e3d9b..7488753d64 100644
--- a/libavutil/softfloat.h
+++ b/libavutil/softfloat.h
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ static av_always_inline SoftFloat av_sqrt_sf(SoftFloat val)
     if (val.mant == 0)
         val.exp = MIN_EXP;
     else if (val.mant < 0)
-        av_assert0(0);
+        abort();
     else
     {
         tabIndex = (val.mant - 0x20000000) >> 20;