diff --git a/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c b/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c
index 7b4e3e3dd16..a9159c1537e 100644
--- a/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c
+++ b/sched/semaphore/sem_holder.c
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ static int sem_boostholderprio(FAR struct semholder_s *pholder,
   if (!sched_verifytcb(htcb))
     {
       serr("ERROR: TCB 0x%08x is a stale handle, counts lost\n", htcb);
-      DEBUGASSERT(sched_verifytcb(htcb));
+      DEBUGPANIC();
       sem_freeholder(sem, pholder);
     }
 
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ static int sem_restoreholderprio(FAR struct tcb_s *htcb,
   if (!sched_verifytcb(htcb))
     {
       serr("ERROR: TCB 0x%08x is a stale handle, counts lost\n", htcb);
-      DEBUGASSERT(sched_verifytcb(htcb));
+      DEBUGPANIC();
       pholder = sem_findholder(sem, htcb);
       if (pholder != NULL)
         {
@@ -905,14 +905,14 @@ void sem_destroyholder(FAR sem_t *sem)
   if (sem->hhead != NULL)
     {
       serr("ERROR: Semaphore destroyed with holders\n");
-      DEBUGASSERT(sem->hhead == NULL);
+      DEBUGPANIC();
       (void)sem_foreachholder(sem, sem_recoverholders, NULL);
     }
 #else
   if (sem->holder[0].htcb != NULL || sem->holder[1].htcb != NULL)
     {
-      DEBUGASSERT(sem->holder[0].htcb == NULL || sem->holder[1].htcb == NULL);
       serr("ERROR: Semaphore destroyed with holder\n");
+      DEBUGPANIC();
     }
 
   sem->holder[0].htcb = NULL;