diff --git a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/externalplugins/ExternalPluginManager.java b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/externalplugins/ExternalPluginManager.java
index 504331f166..91f13d66f1 100644
--- a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/externalplugins/ExternalPluginManager.java
+++ b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/externalplugins/ExternalPluginManager.java
@@ -424,6 +424,13 @@ public class ExternalPluginManager
 
 	public static void loadBuiltin(Class<? extends Plugin>... plugins)
 	{
+		boolean assertsEnabled = false;
+		assert (assertsEnabled = true);
+		if (!assertsEnabled)
+		{
+			throw new RuntimeException("Assertions are not enabled, add '-ea' to your VM options. Enabling assertions during development catches undefined behavior and incorrect API usage.");
+		}
+
 		builtinExternals = plugins;
 	}
 }