diff --git a/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c b/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c
index a699ff8b567..d1b381101b6 100644
--- a/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c
+++ b/src/backend/access/transam/xlog.c
@@ -7575,7 +7575,7 @@ HotStandbyActive(void)
 bool
 HotStandbyActiveInReplay(void)
 {
-	Assert(AmStartupProcess());
+	Assert(AmStartupProcess() || !IsPostmasterEnvironment);
 	return LocalHotStandbyActive;
 }