diff --git a/libraries/stdlib/src/test/Test.kt b/libraries/stdlib/src/test/Test.kt
index e4af2cc5bb1..646b97ee938 100644
--- a/libraries/stdlib/src/test/Test.kt
+++ b/libraries/stdlib/src/test/Test.kt
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ class DefaultAsserter() : Asserter {
         }
     }
     override fun fail(message : String) {
-        throw AssertionError(message)
+        // TODO work around compiler bug as it should never try call the private constructor
+        throw AssertionError(message as Object)
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file