diff --git a/stepmania/src/NoteDataUtil.cpp b/stepmania/src/NoteDataUtil.cpp
index d384e822e6..dc6700fe17 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/NoteDataUtil.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/NoteDataUtil.cpp
@@ -247,9 +247,8 @@ namespace
 
 				/* If iDuration is 0, we'd end up overwriting the head with the tail
 				* (and invalidating our iterator).  Empty hold notes aren't valid. */
-				ASSERT( tn.iDuration != 0 );
-
-				inout.SetTapNote( t, iRow + tn.iDuration, tail );
+				if( tn.iDuration != 0 )
+					inout.SetTapNote( t, iRow + tn.iDuration, tail );
 			}
 		}
 	}