diff --git a/src/shrpx.h b/src/shrpx.h
index d6d34314..d9ccc2ed 100644
--- a/src/shrpx.h
+++ b/src/shrpx.h
@@ -48,8 +48,7 @@
 #define _Exit(status) _exit(status)
 #endif // !HAVE__EXIT
 
-#define DIE()                                   \
-  assert(0);
+#define DIE() exit(EXIT_FAILURE)
 
 #define SHRPX_READ_WATERMARK (16 * 1024)