diff --git a/src/EnergyPlus/MoistureBalanceEMPDManager.cc b/src/EnergyPlus/MoistureBalanceEMPDManager.cc
index 92a145ce920..f3cc5f01728 100644
--- a/src/EnergyPlus/MoistureBalanceEMPDManager.cc
+++ b/src/EnergyPlus/MoistureBalanceEMPDManager.cc
@@ -249,9 +249,9 @@ void GetMoistureBalanceEMPDInput(EnergyPlusData &state)
 
         auto const &constr = state.dataConstruction->Construct(surf.Construction);
         auto const *mat = dynamic_cast<const MaterialEMPD *>(s_mat->materials(constr.LayerPoint(constr.TotLayers)));
-        assert(mat != nullptr);
+        // assert(mat != nullptr);
 
-        if (mat->mu > 0.0 && surf.Zone > 0) {
+        if (mat && mat->mu > 0.0 && surf.Zone > 0) {
             EMPDzone(surf.Zone) = true;
         } else {
             ++state.dataMoistureBalEMPD->ErrCount;