diff --git a/contrib/clipper/clipper.cpp b/contrib/clipper/clipper.cpp
index d10cb1e5c..074f22b21 100644
--- a/contrib/clipper/clipper.cpp
+++ b/contrib/clipper/clipper.cpp
@@ -2431,6 +2431,7 @@ void Clipper::ProcessHorizontal(TEdge *horzEdge)
     if ( horzEdge->outIdx >= 0 )
       IntersectEdges( horzEdge, eMaxPair,
       IntPoint(horzEdge->xtop, horzEdge->ycurr), ipBoth);
+    assert(eMaxPair);
     if (eMaxPair->outIdx >= 0) throw clipperException("ProcessHorizontal error");
     DeleteFromAEL(eMaxPair);
     DeleteFromAEL(horzEdge);