diff --git a/player/loadfile.c b/player/loadfile.c
index 5e78ed430c..992cf99b97 100644
--- a/player/loadfile.c
+++ b/player/loadfile.c
@@ -1419,7 +1419,7 @@ void mp_play_files(struct MPContext *mpctx)
 // e must be on the mpctx->playlist.
 void mp_set_playlist_entry(struct MPContext *mpctx, struct playlist_entry *e)
 {
-    assert(playlist_entry_to_index(mpctx->playlist, e) >= 0);
+    assert(!e || playlist_entry_to_index(mpctx->playlist, e) >= 0);
     mpctx->playlist->current = e;
     mpctx->playlist->current_was_replaced = false;
     mpctx->stop_play = PT_CURRENT_ENTRY;