diff --git a/GPU/GPU.cpp b/GPU/GPU.cpp
index 3a4f9a921e..2fe380d3c1 100644
--- a/GPU/GPU.cpp
+++ b/GPU/GPU.cpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ bool GPU_IsReady() {
 }
 
 bool GPU_Init(GraphicsContext *ctx, Draw::DrawContext *draw) {
-	_assert_(draw);
+	_assert_(draw || PSP_CoreParameter().gpuCore == GPUCORE_NULL);
 #if PPSSPP_PLATFORM(UWP)
 	SetGPU(new GPU_D3D11(ctx, draw));
 	return true;