diff --git a/openpype/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/publish/save_workfile.py b/openpype/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/publish/save_workfile.py
index 5e86785e0d..2bd342cda1 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/publish/save_workfile.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/substancepainter/plugins/publish/save_workfile.py
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ class SaveCurrentWorkfile(pyblish.api.ContextPlugin):
     def process(self, context):
 
         host = registered_host()
-        assert context.data['currentFile'] == host.get_current_workfile()
+        if context.data['currentFile'] != host.get_current_workfile():
+            raise KnownPublishError("Workfile has changed during publishing!")
 
         if host.has_unsaved_changes():
             self.log.info("Saving current file..")