diff --git a/terminal/bidi.c b/terminal/bidi.c
index c8085ca4..a56570fd 100644
--- a/terminal/bidi.c
+++ b/terminal/bidi.c
@@ -3602,7 +3602,6 @@ void do_bidi(BidiContext *ctx, bidi_char *text, size_t textlen)
 #ifdef REMOVE_FORMATTING_CHARACTERS
     abort(); /* can't use the standard algorithm in a live terminal */
 #else
-    assert(textlen >= 0);
     do_bidi_new(ctx, text, textlen);
 #endif
 }