diff --git a/changes/ticket40848 b/changes/ticket40848
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a50a9a028f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/ticket40848
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+  o Minor bugfix (defensive programming):
+    - Disable multiple BUG warnings of a missing relay identity key when
+      starting an instance of Tor compiled without relay support.
+      Fixes bug 40848; bugfix on 0.4.3.1-alpha.
diff --git a/src/feature/relay/routerkeys.h b/src/feature/relay/routerkeys.h
index 7b6d80773c..b97615a9c9 100644
--- a/src/feature/relay/routerkeys.h
+++ b/src/feature/relay/routerkeys.h
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ void routerkeys_free_all(void);
 static inline void *
 relay_key_is_unavailable_(void)
 {
-  tor_assert_nonfatal_unreached();
   return NULL;
 }
 #define relay_key_is_unavailable(type) \