diff --git a/src/heap.c b/src/heap.c
index db1b773e..54562d10 100644
--- a/src/heap.c
+++ b/src/heap.c
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ static void mi_heap_absorb(mi_heap_t* heap, mi_heap_t* from) {
   // turns out to be ok as `_mi_heap_delayed_free` only visits the list and calls a 
   // the regular `_mi_free_delayed_block` which is safe.
   _mi_heap_delayed_free(from);  
-  mi_assert_internal(from->thread_delayed_free == NULL);
+  mi_assert_internal(mi_atomic_load_ptr_relaxed(mi_block_t,&from->thread_delayed_free) == NULL);
 
   // and reset the `from` heap
   mi_heap_reset_pages(from);