diff --git a/src/unix/stream.c b/src/unix/stream.c
index ad70eadacb..4d846f6ac3 100644
--- a/src/unix/stream.c
+++ b/src/unix/stream.c
@@ -1318,16 +1318,6 @@ int uv_read2_start(uv_stream_t* stream, uv_alloc_cb alloc_cb,
 
 
 int uv_read_stop(uv_stream_t* stream) {
-  /* Sanity check. We're going to stop the handle unless it's primed for
-   * writing but that means there should be some kind of write action in
-   * progress.
-   */
-  assert(!uv__io_active(&stream->io_watcher, UV__POLLOUT) ||
-         !ngx_queue_empty(&stream->write_completed_queue) ||
-         !ngx_queue_empty(&stream->write_queue) ||
-         stream->shutdown_req != NULL ||
-         stream->connect_req != NULL);
-
   stream->flags &= ~UV_STREAM_READING;
   uv__io_stop(stream->loop, &stream->io_watcher, UV__POLLIN);
   if (!uv__io_active(&stream->io_watcher, UV__POLLOUT))