diff --git a/src/node_crypto.cc b/src/node_crypto.cc
index 7b3bc40609..8e1319269e 100644
--- a/src/node_crypto.cc
+++ b/src/node_crypto.cc
@@ -701,11 +701,8 @@ static X509_STORE* NewRootCertStore() {
       X509 *x509 = PEM_read_bio_X509(bp, nullptr, CryptoPemCallback, nullptr);
       BIO_free(bp);
 
-      if (x509 == nullptr) {
-        // Parse errors from the built-in roots are fatal.
-        ABORT();
-        return nullptr;
-      }
+      // Parse errors from the built-in roots are fatal.
+      CHECK_NE(x509, nullptr);
 
       root_certs_vector->push_back(x509);
     }