diff --git a/stepmania/src/Steps.cpp b/stepmania/src/Steps.cpp
index 7597366f0c..b114e4630b 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Steps.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/Steps.cpp
@@ -277,6 +277,7 @@ void Steps::CreateBlank( StepsType ntTo )
 
 const Steps *Steps::Real() const
 {
+	ASSERT( this );
 	if(parent) return parent;
 	return this;
 }