diff --git a/fs/xfs/xfs_pnfs.c b/fs/xfs/xfs_pnfs.c
index f63fe8d924a3..058af699e046 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/xfs_pnfs.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/xfs_pnfs.c
@@ -147,11 +147,11 @@ xfs_fs_map_blocks(
 	if (error)
 		goto out_unlock;
 
+	ASSERT(!nimaps || imap.br_startblock != DELAYSTARTBLOCK);
+
 	if (write) {
 		enum xfs_prealloc_flags	flags = 0;
 
-		ASSERT(imap.br_startblock != DELAYSTARTBLOCK);
-
 		if (!nimaps || imap.br_startblock == HOLESTARTBLOCK) {
 			/*
 			 * xfs_iomap_write_direct() expects to take ownership of