diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/metadata_lite.h b/src/google/protobuf/metadata_lite.h
index fa2bcea360..d7ee5c97c9 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/metadata_lite.h
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/metadata_lite.h
@@ -182,11 +182,11 @@ class PROTOBUF_EXPORT InternalMetadata {
 
   template <typename T>
   PROTOBUF_NOINLINE void DeleteOutOfLineHelper() {
-    // TODO(b/188560391): Determine if this branch is needed.
-    if (!arena()) {
-      delete PtrValue<Container<T>>();
-      ptr_ = 0;
-    }
+    ABSL_DCHECK(!arena());
+    delete PtrValue<Container<T>>();
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    ptr_ = 0;
+#endif  // NDEBUG
   }
 
   template <typename T>