diff --git a/src/connection.rs b/src/connection.rs
index b639695..251ce7a 100644
--- a/src/connection.rs
+++ b/src/connection.rs
@@ -1134,7 +1134,7 @@ where
             // We are initiating a closing handshake.
             Open => self.state = AwaitingClose,
             Connecting(_, _) => {
-                debug_assert!(false, "Attempted to close connection while not yet open.")
+                error!("Attempted to close connection while not yet open.")
             }
         }