diff --git a/src/electrum_ecc/__init__.py b/src/electrum_ecc/__init__.py
index 669d8e8..a7059df 100644
--- a/src/electrum_ecc/__init__.py
+++ b/src/electrum_ecc/__init__.py
@@ -10,3 +10,14 @@
 # Some unit tests need to create ECDSA sigs without grinding the R value (and just use RFC6979).
 # see https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/13666
 ENABLE_ECDSA_R_VALUE_GRINDING = True
+
+
+# Ensure that asserts are enabled. For sanity and paranoia, we require this.
+# Code *should not rely* on asserts being enabled. In particular, safety and security checks should
+# always explicitly raise exceptions. However, this rule is mistakenly broken occasionally...
+try:
+    assert False  # noqa: B011
+except AssertionError:
+    pass
+else:
+    raise ImportError("Running with asserts disabled. Refusing to continue. Exiting...")