diff --git a/distutils/tests/__init__.py b/distutils/tests/__init__.py
index 93fbf490..6074fd4a 100644
--- a/distutils/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/distutils/tests/__init__.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ def missing_compiler_executable(cmd_names: Sequence[str] = []):  # pragma: no co
     from distutils import ccompiler, errors, sysconfig
 
     compiler = ccompiler.new_compiler()
+    assert 0, compiler
     sysconfig.customize_compiler(compiler)
     if compiler.compiler_type == "msvc":
         # MSVC has no executables, so check whether initialization succeeds