diff --git a/sched/group/group_signal.c b/sched/group/group_signal.c
index 85796f6d257..fdb26e3f8cd 100644
--- a/sched/group/group_signal.c
+++ b/sched/group/group_signal.c
@@ -245,11 +245,15 @@ int group_signal(FAR struct task_group_s *group, FAR siginfo_t *siginfo)
        * signal to a pending state.
        */
 
-      else /* if (info.dtcb) */
+      else if (info.dtcb)
         {
-          DEBUGASSERT(info.dtcb);
           tcb = info.dtcb;
         }
+      else
+        {
+          ret = -ECHILD;
+          goto errout;
+        }
 
       /* Now deliver the signal to the selected group member */