diff --git a/win32ss/user/ntuser/ghost.c b/win32ss/user/ntuser/ghost.c
index efbc5d2a647..3342fea1557 100644
--- a/win32ss/user/ntuser/ghost.c
+++ b/win32ss/user/ntuser/ghost.c
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ HWND FASTCALL IntGhostWindowFromHungWindow(PWND pHungWnd)
     HWND hwndGhost;
 
     if (!IntGetAtomFromStringOrAtom(&GhostProp, &Atom))
-        ASSERT(FALSE);
+        return NULL;
 
     hwndGhost = UserGetProp(pHungWnd, Atom, TRUE);
     if (hwndGhost)