diff --git a/countersec.c b/countersec.c
index e393786b..2ec4f3e8 100644
--- a/countersec.c
+++ b/countersec.c
@@ -184,13 +184,17 @@ static int SecCtrCheckStatus(void *pData, SConnection *pCon)
     fControl = v.v.doubleValue;
   } else {
     node = GetHipadabaNode(self->pDes->parNode,"values");
-    assert(node != NULL);
-    /*
-      The 1 below is only correct for PSI where only the first
-      monitor can be the control monitor. Elsewhere this must be  the 
-      control monitor channel
-    */
-    fControl = v.v.intArray[1];
+    if(node != NULL) {
+      /*
+        This can be NULL if the counter is a  HM. The values does not 
+        exist and fControl is useless
+
+	The 1 below is only correct for PSI where only the first
+	monitor can be the control monitor. Elsewhere this must be  the 
+	control monitor channel
+      */
+      fControl = v.v.intArray[1];
+    }
   }