diff --git a/src/network/networkd-link.c b/src/network/networkd-link.c
index ec2190fd13c..8d2711f1851 100644
--- a/src/network/networkd-link.c
+++ b/src/network/networkd-link.c
@@ -1854,7 +1854,6 @@ static int link_acquire_ipv4_conf(Link *link) {
         int r;
 
         assert(link);
-        assert(link->network);
         assert(link->manager);
         assert(link->manager->event);