diff --git a/rtc_base/BUILD.gn b/rtc_base/BUILD.gn
index 38805f7bce..4743a46d9d 100644
--- a/rtc_base/BUILD.gn
+++ b/rtc_base/BUILD.gn
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ if (is_android) {
 
 if (!rtc_build_ssl) {
   config("external_ssl_library") {
-    assert(rtc_ssl_root != "",
-           "You must specify rtc_ssl_root when rtc_build_ssl==0.")
-    include_dirs = [ rtc_ssl_root ]
+    if (rtc_ssl_root != "") {
+      include_dirs = [ rtc_ssl_root ]
+    }
     libs = [
       "crypto",
       "ssl",