diff --git a/src/net_processing.cpp b/src/net_processing.cpp
--- a/src/net_processing.cpp
+++ b/src/net_processing.cpp
@@ -3546,6 +3546,7 @@
                         : "<none>");
                 pto->fDisconnect = true;
             } else {
+                assert(state.m_chain_sync.m_work_header);
                 LogPrint(
                     BCLog::NET,
                     "sending getheaders to outbound peer=%d to verify chain "