diff --git a/Tools/pynche/ColorDB.py b/Tools/pynche/ColorDB.py
index effed556510..b57ad6f2499 100644
--- a/Tools/pynche/ColorDB.py
+++ b/Tools/pynche/ColorDB.py
@@ -177,7 +177,8 @@ def rrggbb_to_triplet(color, atoi=string.atoi):
     """Converts a #rrggbb color to the tuple (red, green, blue)."""
     rgbtuple = _namedict.get(color)
     if rgbtuple is None:
-	assert color[0] == '#'
+        if color[0] <> '#':
+            raise BadColor(color)
 	red = color[1:3]
 	green = color[3:5]
 	blue = color[5:7]