diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
index e9328d32ca..763aa27f00 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
@@ -505,8 +505,7 @@ void SkeletonModel::renderRagdoll() {
 
 // virtual
 void SkeletonModel::initRagdollPoints() {
-    assert(_ragdollPoints.size() == 0);
-    assert(_ragdollConstraints.size() == 0);
+    clearRagdollConstraintsAndPoints();
 
     // one point for each joint
     int numJoints = _jointStates.size();