diff --git a/ovos_workshop/skills/ovos.py b/ovos_workshop/skills/ovos.py
index adeeba8..21fa7ad 100644
--- a/ovos_workshop/skills/ovos.py
+++ b/ovos_workshop/skills/ovos.py
@@ -2096,7 +2096,8 @@ def ask_selection(self, options: List[str], dialog: str = '',
         Returns:
               string: list element selected by user, or None
         """
-        assert isinstance(options, list)
+        if not isinstance(options, list):
+            raise ValueError("invalid value for 'options', must be a list of strings")
 
         if not len(options):
             return None