diff --git a/include/pqxx/util.hxx b/include/pqxx/util.hxx
index 4afe3026b..b548d7c04 100644
--- a/include/pqxx/util.hxx
+++ b/include/pqxx/util.hxx
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ namespace pqxx
 // C++23: Retire wrapper.
 // PQXX_UNREACHABLE: equivalent to `std::unreachable()` if available.
 #if !defined(__cpp_lib_unreachable)
-#  define PQXX_UNREACHABLE assert(false)
+#  define PQXX_UNREACHABLE while (false)
 #elif !__cpp_lib_unreachable
-#  define PQXX_UNREACHABLE assert(false)
+#  define PQXX_UNREACHABLE while (false)
 #else
 #  define PQXX_UNREACHABLE std::unreachable()
 #endif