diff --git a/mx_mysql.c b/mx_mysql.c
index 686eb0c..b18a6e4 100644
--- a/mx_mysql.c
+++ b/mx_mysql.c
@@ -1154,8 +1154,8 @@ struct mx_mysql_stmt *mx_mysql_statement_prepare(struct mx_mysql *mysql, char *s
 
 int mx_mysql_statement_close(struct mx_mysql_stmt **stmt)
 {
-    assert(stmt);
-    assert(*stmt);
+    if (*stmt == NULL)
+        return 0;
 
     mx__mysql_stmt_free_result(*stmt);
     mx__mysql_stmt_close(*stmt);
@@ -1169,8 +1169,8 @@ int mx_mysql_statement_close(struct mx_mysql_stmt **stmt)
 
 int mx_mysql_statement_close_no_bind_cleanup(struct mx_mysql_stmt **stmt)
 {
-    assert(stmt);
-    assert(*stmt);
+    if (*stmt == NULL)
+        return 0;
 
     mx__mysql_stmt_free_result(*stmt);
     mx__mysql_stmt_close(*stmt);