diff --git a/fs/btrfs/ctree.c b/fs/btrfs/ctree.c
index 1124d236291d..6178fadf80a1 100644
--- a/fs/btrfs/ctree.c
+++ b/fs/btrfs/ctree.c
@@ -1815,8 +1815,7 @@ static noinline int balance_level(struct btrfs_trans_handle *trans,
 	int orig_slot = path->slots[level];
 	u64 orig_ptr;
 
-	if (level == 0)
-		return 0;
+	ASSERT(level > 0);
 
 	mid = path->nodes[level];