diff --git a/Quake/host.c b/Quake/host.c
index e930c4b5..9458ea6a 100644
--- a/Quake/host.c
+++ b/Quake/host.c
@@ -541,9 +541,8 @@ void Host_ClearMemory (void)
 	Con_DPrintf ("Clearing memory\n");
 	D_FlushCaches ();
 	Mod_ClearAll ();
-	if (host_hunklevel)
-		Hunk_FreeToLowMark (host_hunklevel);
-
+/* host_hunklevel MUST be set at this point */
+	Hunk_FreeToLowMark (host_hunklevel);
 	cls.signon = 0;
 	memset (&sv, 0, sizeof(sv));
 	memset (&cl, 0, sizeof(cl));