diff --git a/src/uucore_procs/src/lib.rs b/src/uucore_procs/src/lib.rs
index d46fd6e10..11d89c97e 100644
--- a/src/uucore_procs/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/uucore_procs/src/lib.rs
@@ -67,9 +67,10 @@ pub fn help_about(input: TokenStream) -> TokenStream {
     let input: Vec<TokenTree> = input.into_iter().collect();
     let filename = get_argument(&input, 0, "filename");
     let text: String = uuhelp_parser::parse_about(&read_help(&filename));
-    if text.is_empty() {
-        panic!("About text not found! Make sure the markdown format is correct");
-    }
+    assert!(
+        !text.is_empty(),
+        "About text not found! Make sure the markdown format is correct"
+    );
     TokenTree::Literal(Literal::string(&text)).into()
 }
 
@@ -84,9 +85,10 @@ pub fn help_usage(input: TokenStream) -> TokenStream {
     let input: Vec<TokenTree> = input.into_iter().collect();
     let filename = get_argument(&input, 0, "filename");
     let text: String = uuhelp_parser::parse_usage(&read_help(&filename));
-    if text.is_empty() {
-        panic!("Usage text not found! Make sure the markdown format is correct");
-    }
+    assert!(
+        !text.is_empty(),
+        "Usage text not found! Make sure the markdown format is correct"
+    );
     TokenTree::Literal(Literal::string(&text)).into()
 }