diff --git a/lib/pkgdb.c b/lib/pkgdb.c
index af75fd6e..7e865e7d 100644
--- a/lib/pkgdb.c
+++ b/lib/pkgdb.c
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ pkgdb_map_vpkgs(struct xbps_handle *xhp)
 
 		xbps_dictionary_get_cstring_nocopy(pkgd, "pkgver", &pkgver);
 		pkgname = xbps_pkg_name(pkgver);
+		assert(pkgname);
 
 		for (unsigned int i = 0; i < xbps_array_count(provides); i++) {
 			const char *vpkg;