diff --git a/src/lib_json/json_value.cpp b/src/lib_json/json_value.cpp
index aa2b744..26cd843 100644
--- a/src/lib_json/json_value.cpp
+++ b/src/lib_json/json_value.cpp
@@ -1410,9 +1410,8 @@ void Value::setComment(String comment, CommentPlacement placement) {
     // Always discard trailing newline, to aid indentation.
     comment.pop_back();
   }
-  JSON_ASSERT(!comment.empty());
   JSON_ASSERT_MESSAGE(
-      comment[0] == '\0' || comment[0] == '/',
+      comment.empty() || comment[0] == '/',
       "in Json::Value::setComment(): Comments must start with /");
   comments_.set(placement, std::move(comment));
 }