diff --git a/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl b/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl
index ec16a9589..079b1a87d 100644
--- a/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl
+++ b/test/emqx_channel_SUITE.erl
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ t_handle_kicked_publish_will_msg(_) ->
      _} = emqx_channel:handle_call(kick, channel(#{will_msg => Msg})),
     receive
         {pub, Msg} -> ok
-    after 200 -> ?assert(true)
+    after 200 -> exit(will_message_not_published)
     end.
 
 t_handle_call_discard(_) ->