diff --git a/src/dnode/src/dnodeVRead.c b/src/dnode/src/dnodeVRead.c
index 1a3d0ebc27..cdb03de555 100644
--- a/src/dnode/src/dnodeVRead.c
+++ b/src/dnode/src/dnodeVRead.c
@@ -213,7 +213,8 @@ static void *dnodeProcessReadQueue(void *param) {
     } else {
       if (code == TSDB_CODE_QRY_HAS_RSP) {
         dnodeSendRpcReadRsp(pVnode, pReadMsg, pReadMsg->rpcMsg.code);
-      } else { // code == TSDB_CODE_NOT_READY, do not return msg to client
+      } else { // code == TSDB_CODE_QRY_NOT_READY, do not return msg to client
+        assert(pReadMsg->rpcMsg.handle != NULL);
         dnodeDispatchNonRspMsg(pVnode, pReadMsg, code);
       }
     }