diff --git a/libavfilter/vf_interlace.c b/libavfilter/vf_interlace.c
index 3e2a044ca0..0b2444c188 100644
--- a/libavfilter/vf_interlace.c
+++ b/libavfilter/vf_interlace.c
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ static void copy_picture_field(InterlaceContext *s,
         uint8_t *dstp = dst_frame->data[plane];
         const uint8_t *srcp = src_frame->data[plane];
 
-        av_assert0(cols >= 0);
+        av_assert0(cols >= 0 || lines >= 0);
 
         lines = (lines + (field_type == FIELD_UPPER)) / 2;
         if (field_type == FIELD_LOWER)