diff --git a/test/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py b/test/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py
index ca151967fbe..85d8596bced 100755
--- a/test/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py
+++ b/test/sanity/code-smell/no-assert.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import os
 import re
 import sys
 
-ASSERT_RE = re.compile(r'.*(?<![-:a-zA-Z#][ -])\bassert\b(?!:).*')
+ASSERT_RE = re.compile(r'^\s*assert[^a-z0-9_:]')
 
 
 def main():