diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_ble_adapter.c b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_ble_adapter.c
index 1e5c0c2cdaf..520dc9e938d 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_ble_adapter.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_ble_adapter.c
@@ -2317,7 +2317,7 @@ int esp32s3_bt_controller_init(void)
       else
         {
           wlerr("Internal 150kHz RC oscillator not detected.");
-          assert(0);
+          PANIC();
         }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_wifi_adapter.c b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_wifi_adapter.c
index 4168a7cf778..b794f6b203c 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_wifi_adapter.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32s3/esp32s3_wifi_adapter.c
@@ -802,7 +802,7 @@ static void esp_set_isr(int32_t n, void *f, void *arg)
   if (!adapter)
     {
       wlerr("Failed to alloc %d memory\n", tmp);
-      assert(0);
+      PANIC();
       return;
     }
 
@@ -813,7 +813,7 @@ static void esp_set_isr(int32_t n, void *f, void *arg)
   if (ret)
     {
       wlerr("Failed to attach IRQ %d\n", irq);
-      assert(0);
+      PANIC();
       return;
     }
 
@@ -821,7 +821,7 @@ static void esp_set_isr(int32_t n, void *f, void *arg)
   if (ret)
     {
       wlerr("Failed to attach IRQ %d\n", irq);
-      assert(0);
+      PANIC();
       return;
     }
 }