diff --git a/qom/object.c b/qom/object.c
index 36123fb330..90155faec1 100644
--- a/qom/object.c
+++ b/qom/object.c
@@ -173,7 +173,11 @@ static TypeImpl *type_get_parent(TypeImpl *type)
 {
     if (!type->parent_type && type->parent) {
         type->parent_type = type_get_by_name(type->parent);
-        g_assert(type->parent_type != NULL);
+        if (!type->parent_type) {
+            fprintf(stderr, "Type '%s' is missing its parent '%s'\n",
+                    type->name, type->parent);
+            abort();
+        }
     }
 
     return type->parent_type;