diff --git a/Source/cmLocalGenerator.cxx b/Source/cmLocalGenerator.cxx
index 9aae5bc822..492ea9da97 100644
--- a/Source/cmLocalGenerator.cxx
+++ b/Source/cmLocalGenerator.cxx
@@ -198,10 +198,7 @@ void cmLocalGenerator::ReadInputFile()
     return;
     }
 
-  if(!this->Parent)
-    {
-    return;
-    }
+  assert(this->Parent);
 
   // The file is missing.  Check policy CMP0014.
   cmMakefile* mf = this->Parent->GetMakefile();