diff --git a/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/flow_graph_checker.cc b/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/flow_graph_checker.cc
index b31e9ee836c..bde852188ee 100644
--- a/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/flow_graph_checker.cc
+++ b/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/flow_graph_checker.cc
@@ -227,9 +227,10 @@ void FlowGraphChecker::VisitInstruction(Instruction* instruction) {
 
   // In JIT mode, any instruction which may throw must have a deopt-id, except
   // tail-call because it replaces the stack frame.
-  ASSERT(!FLAG_precompiled_mode || !instruction->MayThrow() ||
-         instruction->IsTailCall() ||
+#if !defined(DART_PRECOMPILER)
+  ASSERT(!instruction->MayThrow() || instruction->IsTailCall() ||
          instruction->deopt_id() != DeoptId::kNone);
+#endif  // !defined(DART_PRECOMPILER)
 
   // Check all regular inputs.
   for (intptr_t i = 0, n = instruction->InputCount(); i < n; ++i) {
diff --git a/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/il.h b/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/il.h
index 32079aea1ee..568af5902dc 100644
--- a/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/il.h
+++ b/runtime/vm/compiler/backend/il.h
@@ -4190,10 +4190,7 @@ class DropTempsInstr : public Definition {
     return false;
   }
 
-  virtual bool MayThrow() const {
-    UNREACHABLE();
-    return false;
-  }
+  virtual bool MayThrow() const { return false; }
 
   virtual TokenPosition token_pos() const { return TokenPosition::kTempMove; }