diff --git a/backend/libinput/backend.c b/backend/libinput/backend.c
index 6e59ee3e8..c4dbc3d83 100644
--- a/backend/libinput/backend.c
+++ b/backend/libinput/backend.c
@@ -227,6 +227,8 @@ struct libinput_device *wlr_libinput_get_device_handle(
 		dev = device_from_tablet_pad(wlr_tablet_pad_from_input_device(wlr_dev));
 		break;
 	}
+
+	assert(dev);
 	return dev->handle;
 }