diff --git a/libavcodec/elbg.c b/libavcodec/elbg.c
index 18d96db1e4..38028daa4a 100644
--- a/libavcodec/elbg.c
+++ b/libavcodec/elbg.c
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ static int get_high_utility_cell(elbg_data *elbg)
     while (elbg->utility_inc[i] < r)
         i++;
 
-    assert(!elbg->cells[i]);
+    assert(elbg->cells[i]);
 
     return i;
 }