diff --git a/src/lightpanda.zig b/src/lightpanda.zig
index 5859324d..4d6c23fb 100644
--- a/src/lightpanda.zig
+++ b/src/lightpanda.zig
@@ -249,9 +249,7 @@ pub fn RC(comptime T: type) type {
         }
 
         pub fn release(self: *@This(), value: anytype, session: *Session) void {
-            if (comptime IS_DEBUG) {
-                std.debug.assert(self._refs > 0);
-            }
+            assert(self._refs > 0, "release overflow", .{ .type = @typeName(@TypeOf(value)) });
 
             const refs = self._refs - 1;
             self._refs = refs;