diff --git a/org.springframework.integration.jmx/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/jmx/NotificationPublishingAdapter.java b/org.springframework.integration.jmx/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/jmx/NotificationPublishingAdapter.java
index 83de3af8ae..c22a00a0ca 100644
--- a/org.springframework.integration.jmx/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/jmx/NotificationPublishingAdapter.java
+++ b/org.springframework.integration.jmx/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/jmx/NotificationPublishingAdapter.java
@@ -98,7 +98,6 @@ public class NotificationPublishingAdapter extends AbstractMessageHandler
 
 	@Override
 	protected void handleMessageInternal(Message<?> message) throws Exception {
-		Assert.state(delegate != null, "NotificationPublisher is required");
 		this.delegate.publish(this.notificationMapper.fromMessage(message));
 	}