diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index c47e10e20..45e9902ca 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -1346,8 +1346,14 @@ void writefaction(struct gamedata *data, const faction * f)
     WRITE_SECTION(data->store);
 
     for (sf = f->allies; sf; sf = sf->next) {
-        int no = (sf->faction != NULL) ? sf->faction->no : 0;
-        int status = alliedfaction(NULL, f, sf->faction, HELP_ALL);
+        int no;
+        int status;
+
+        assert(sf->faction);
+
+        no = sf->faction->no;
+        status = alliedfaction(NULL, f, sf->faction, HELP_ALL);
+
         if (status != 0) {
             WRITE_INT(data->store, no);
             WRITE_INT(data->store, sf->status);