diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8d8ecd6a..2bff01af 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 Version 171:
 
 * Add handler_ptr::has_value
+* Remove spurious assert
 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp
index ef078ddd..62ddffa2 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/close.ipp
@@ -138,14 +138,8 @@ operator()(
     d.cont = cont;
     BOOST_ASIO_CORO_REENTER(*this)
     {
-        // Maybe suspend
-        if(d.ws.wr_block_.try_lock(this))
-        {
-            // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(! d.ws.check_open(ec))
-                goto upcall;
-        }
-        else
+        // Attempt to acquire write block
+        if(! d.ws.wr_block_.try_lock(this))
         {
             // Suspend
             BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
@@ -159,12 +153,12 @@ operator()(
             boost::asio::post(
                 d.ws.get_executor(), std::move(*this));
             BOOST_ASSERT(d.ws.wr_block_.is_locked(this));
-
-            // Make sure the stream is open
-            if(! d.ws.check_open(ec))
-                goto upcall;
         }
 
+        // Make sure the stream is open
+        if(! d.ws.check_open(ec))
+            goto upcall;
+
         // Can't call close twice
         BOOST_ASSERT(! d.ws.wr_close_);
 
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp
index 73ea62d1..9e8e0c47 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/read.ipp
@@ -626,12 +626,8 @@ operator()(
         goto upcall;
 
     close:
-        if(ws_.wr_block_.try_lock(this))
-        {
-            // Make sure the stream is open
-            BOOST_ASSERT(ws_.status_ == status::open);
-        }
-        else
+        // Try to acquire the write block
+        if(! ws_.wr_block_.try_lock(this))
         {
             // Suspend
             BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD