diff --git a/backend.native/tests/build.gradle b/backend.native/tests/build.gradle
index ac401ae0e01..7f70260f657 100644
--- a/backend.native/tests/build.gradle
+++ b/backend.native/tests/build.gradle
@@ -1516,9 +1516,20 @@ task main_exception(type: RunKonanTest) {
     source = "runtime/basic/main_exception.kt"
 }
 
-task failed_assert(type: RunKonanTest) {
+task runtime_basic_assert_failed(type: RunKonanTest) {
     expectedExitStatus = 1
-    source = "runtime/basic/failed_assert.kt"
+    source = "runtime/basic/assert_failed.kt"
+}
+
+task runtime_basic_assert_passed(type: RunKonanTest) {
+    expectedExitStatus = 0
+    source = "runtime/basic/assert_passed.kt"
+}
+
+task runtime_basic_assert_disabled(type: RunKonanTest) {
+    expectedExitStatus = 0
+    enableKonanAssertions = false
+    source = "runtime/basic/assert_failed.kt"
 }
 
 task initializers0(type: RunKonanTest) {
diff --git a/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/failed_assert.kt b/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/assert_failed.kt
similarity index 100%
rename from backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/failed_assert.kt
rename to backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/assert_failed.kt
diff --git a/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/assert_passed.kt b/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/assert_passed.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..74bced5d157
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/assert_passed.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+fun main(args: Array<String>) {
+    assert(true)
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/buildSrc/plugins/src/main/groovy/org/jetbrains/kotlin/KonanTest.groovy b/buildSrc/plugins/src/main/groovy/org/jetbrains/kotlin/KonanTest.groovy
index 4483cd0055b..890f4887b16 100644
--- a/buildSrc/plugins/src/main/groovy/org/jetbrains/kotlin/KonanTest.groovy
+++ b/buildSrc/plugins/src/main/groovy/org/jetbrains/kotlin/KonanTest.groovy
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ abstract class KonanTest extends JavaExec {
     def konanc = new File("${dist.canonicalPath}/bin/$konancDriver").absolutePath
     def mainC = 'main.c'
     def outputSourceSetName = "testOutputLocal"
+    def enableKonanAssertions = true
     String outputDirectory = null
     String goldValue = null
     String testData = null
@@ -97,13 +98,15 @@ abstract class KonanTest extends JavaExec {
             classpath = project.configurations.cli_bc
             enableAssertions = true
             args = ["-output", output,
-                    "-ea",
                     *filesToCompile,
                     *moreArgs,
                     *project.globalTestArgs]
             if (project.testTarget) {
                 args "-target", project.testTarget
             }
+            if (enableKonanAssertions) {
+                args "-ea"
+            }
             standardOutput = log
             errorOutput = log
             super.exec()
@@ -282,13 +285,15 @@ class RunDriverKonanTest extends KonanTest {
         project.exec {
             commandLine konanc
             args = ["-output", output,
-                    "-ea",
                     *filesToCompile,
                     *moreArgs,
                     *project.globalTestArgs]
             if (project.testTarget) {
                 args "-target", project.testTarget
             }
+            if (enableKonanAssertions) {
+                args "-ea"
+            }
             standardOutput = log
             errorOutput = log
         }