diff --git a/livekit-rtc/livekit/rtc/audio_source.py b/livekit-rtc/livekit/rtc/audio_source.py
index 41ce1695..82133956 100644
--- a/livekit-rtc/livekit/rtc/audio_source.py
+++ b/livekit-rtc/livekit/rtc/audio_source.py
@@ -166,7 +166,8 @@ async def wait_for_playout(self) -> None:
         await asyncio.shield(self._join_fut)
 
     def _release_waiter(self) -> None:
-        assert self._join_fut is not None
+        if self._join_fut is None:
+            return  # could be None when clear_queue is called
 
         if not self._join_fut.done():
             self._join_fut.set_result(None)