diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index acd042c0..24fde88f 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -700,6 +700,7 @@ moves_loop: // When in check and at SpNode search starts from here
                            &&  depth >= 8 * ONE_PLY
                            &&  abs(beta) < VALUE_KNOWN_WIN
                            &&  ttMove != MOVE_NONE
+                           &&  ttValue != VALUE_NONE
                            && !excludedMove // Recursive singular search is not allowed
                            && (tte->bound() & BOUND_LOWER)
                            &&  tte->depth() >= depth - 3 * ONE_PLY;
@@ -766,8 +767,6 @@ moves_loop: // When in check and at SpNode search starts from here
           && !ext
           &&  pos.legal(move, ci.pinned))
       {
-          assert(ttValue != VALUE_NONE);
-
           Value rBeta = ttValue - int(depth);
           ss->excludedMove = move;
           ss->skipNullMove = true;