diff --git a/source/vibe/core/net.d b/source/vibe/core/net.d
index b1d7f34..8eb1bb1 100644
--- a/source/vibe/core/net.d
+++ b/source/vibe/core/net.d
@@ -218,8 +218,10 @@ TCPConnection connectTCP(NetworkAddress addr, NetworkAddress bind_address = anyA
 			": timeout");
 
 		if (status != ConnectStatus.connected) {
-			if (sock != SocketFD.invalid)
-				assert(!eventDriver.sockets.releaseRef(sock));
+			if (sock != SocketFD.invalid) {
+				bool refsLeft = eventDriver.sockets.releaseRef(sock);
+				assert(!refsLeft);
+			}
 
 			enforce(false, "Failed to connect to "~addr.toString()~": "~status.to!string);
 			assert(false);