diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASVideoNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASVideoNode.mm
index 04f5db6799..affd4d7027 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASVideoNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASVideoNode.mm
@@ -98,8 +98,6 @@ static NSString * const kStatus = @"status";
 - (AVPlayerItem *)constructPlayerItem
 {
   ASDN::MutexLocker l(_videoLock);
-  
-  ASDisplayNodeAssert(_asset, @"ASVideoNode must be initialized with an AVAsset");
 
   AVPlayerItem *playerItem = nil;