diff --git a/filament/backend/src/metal/MetalDriver.mm b/filament/backend/src/metal/MetalDriver.mm
index f0e23ccb033..f99a6b63a66 100644
--- a/filament/backend/src/metal/MetalDriver.mm
+++ b/filament/backend/src/metal/MetalDriver.mm
@@ -1634,7 +1634,7 @@
         return;
     }
 
-    ASSERT_PRECONDITION(bool(functions), "Attempting to bind an invalid Metal program.");
+    functions.validate();
 
     auto [fragment, vertex] = functions.getRasterFunctions();