diff --git a/server/core/dcb.cc b/server/core/dcb.cc
index 36bfa224e..49b8e67b7 100644
--- a/server/core/dcb.cc
+++ b/server/core/dcb.cc
@@ -1277,7 +1277,7 @@ void dcb_final_close(DCB* dcb)
         else
         {
             // Only listeners are closed with a fd of -1
-            mxb_assert(dcb->dcb_role == DCB_ROLE_SERVICE_LISTENER);
+            mxb_assert(dcb->dcb_role == DCB_ROLE_SERVICE_LISTENER || dcb->dcb_role == DCB_ROLE_INTERNAL);
         }
 
         dcb->state = DCB_STATE_DISCONNECTED;