diff --git a/src/wallet/spend.cpp b/src/wallet/spend.cpp
index 8c0d56a1cb0..178b5ff395a 100644
--- a/src/wallet/spend.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/spend.cpp
@@ -940,7 +940,9 @@ static util::Result<CreatedTransactionResult> CreateTransactionInternal(
 
     // The only time that fee_needed should be less than the amount available for fees is when
     // we are subtracting the fee from the outputs. If this occurs at any other time, it is a bug.
-    assert(coin_selection_params.m_subtract_fee_outputs || fee_needed <= nFeeRet);
+    if (!coin_selection_params.m_subtract_fee_outputs && fee_needed > nFeeRet) {
+        return util::Error{Untranslated(STR_INTERNAL_BUG("Fee needed > fee paid"))};
+    }
 
     // If there is a change output and we overpay the fees then increase the change to match the fee needed
     if (nChangePosInOut != -1 && fee_needed < nFeeRet) {