diff --git a/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/Distro.py b/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/Distro.py
index 84c9e5bb..369facf9 100644
--- a/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/Distro.py
+++ b/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/Distro.py
@@ -364,7 +364,6 @@ class Distro(abc.ABC):
 
     async def _select(self, names: Iterable[str],
                       filter: PackageFilter) -> Iterable[Package]:
-        assert filter, 'No filter in _select()'
         return [p for p in await self._select_by_name(names) if filter.match(p)]
 
     async def select(