diff --git a/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/intentions/branchedTransformations/BranchedUnfoldingUtils.java b/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/intentions/branchedTransformations/BranchedUnfoldingUtils.java
index 4cc4e8b2692..bf15cbd0224 100644
--- a/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/intentions/branchedTransformations/BranchedUnfoldingUtils.java
+++ b/idea/src/org/jetbrains/jet/plugin/intentions/branchedTransformations/BranchedUnfoldingUtils.java
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ public class BranchedUnfoldingUtils {
         if (JetPsiUtil.isAssignment(root)) {
             JetBinaryExpression assignment = (JetBinaryExpression) root;
 
-            assertNotNull(assignment.getLeft());
+            if (assignment.getLeft() == null) return null;
 
             JetExpression rhs = assignment.getRight();
             if (rhs instanceof JetIfExpression) return UnfoldableKind.ASSIGNMENT_TO_IF;