diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -3190,7 +3190,6 @@
 
     // Construct new block index object
     CBlockIndex *pindexNew = new CBlockIndex(block);
-    assert(pindexNew);
     // We assign the sequence id to blocks only when the full data is available,
     // to avoid miners withholding blocks but broadcasting headers, to get a
     // competitive advantage.
@@ -4325,11 +4324,6 @@
 
     // Create new
     CBlockIndex *pindexNew = new CBlockIndex();
-    if (!pindexNew) {
-        throw std::runtime_error(std::string(__func__) +
-                                 ": new CBlockIndex failed");
-    }
-
     mi = mapBlockIndex.insert(std::make_pair(hash, pindexNew)).first;
     pindexNew->phashBlock = &((*mi).first);