diff --git a/zjit/src/codegen.rs b/zjit/src/codegen.rs
index e7bd3285dd..8a04d04993 100644
--- a/zjit/src/codegen.rs
+++ b/zjit/src/codegen.rs
@@ -1288,6 +1288,7 @@ fn compile_iseq(iseq: IseqPtr) -> Option<Function> {
     if !get_option!(disable_hir_opt) {
         function.optimize();
     }
+    #[cfg(debug_assertions)]
     if let Err(err) = function.validate() {
         debug!("ZJIT: compile_iseq: {err:?}");
         return None;