diff --git a/opm/simulators/wells/WellState.cpp b/opm/simulators/wells/WellState.cpp
index 4277ec920..eb5179e86 100644
--- a/opm/simulators/wells/WellState.cpp
+++ b/opm/simulators/wells/WellState.cpp
@@ -821,7 +821,7 @@ void WellState::initWellStateMSWell(const std::vector<Well>& wells_ecl,
             // for the seg_rates_, now it becomes a recursive solution procedure.
             {
                 // make sure the information from wells_ecl consistent with wells
-                assert((n_activeperf == num_perf_this_well) &&
+                assert((n_activeperf == this->wellMap().at(well_ecl.name())[2]) &&
                        "Inconsistent number of reservoir connections in well");
 
                 if (pu.phase_used[Gas]) {