diff --git a/graphene/pyutils/version.py b/graphene/pyutils/version.py
index f2005442..a0b0d2ba 100644
--- a/graphene/pyutils/version.py
+++ b/graphene/pyutils/version.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 import datetime
 import os
 import subprocess
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 def get_version(version=None):
@@ -44,8 +45,14 @@ def get_complete_version(version=None):
     if version is None:
         from graphene import VERSION as version
     else:
-        assert len(version) == 5
-        assert version[3] in ("alpha", "beta", "rc", "final")
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=len(version) is 5,
+            message="Wrong tuple provided"
+        )
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=version[3] in ("alpha", "beta", "rc", "final"),
+            message="Version not correct."
+        )
 
     return version
 
diff --git a/graphene/relay/connection.py b/graphene/relay/connection.py
index 927dfcc4..968242ed 100644
--- a/graphene/relay/connection.py
+++ b/graphene/relay/connection.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from ..types.field import Field
 from ..types.objecttype import ObjectType, ObjectTypeOptions
 from ..utils.thenables import maybe_thenable
 from .node import is_node
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class PageInfo(ObjectType):
@@ -52,11 +53,17 @@ class Connection(ObjectType):
     @classmethod
     def __init_subclass_with_meta__(cls, node=None, name=None, **options):
         _meta = ConnectionOptions(cls)
-        assert node, "You have to provide a node in {}.Meta".format(cls.__name__)
-        assert issubclass(
-            node, (Scalar, Enum, ObjectType, Interface, Union, NonNull)
-        ), ('Received incompatible node "{}" for Connection {}.').format(
-            node, cls.__name__
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=node,
+            message="You have to provide a node in {}.Meta".format(cls.__name__)
+        )
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=issubclass(
+                node, (Scalar, Enum, ObjectType, Interface, Union, NonNull)
+            ),
+            message=('Received incompatible node "{}" for Connection {}.').format(
+                node, cls.__name__
+            )
         )
 
         base_name = re.sub("Connection$", "", name or cls.__name__) or node._meta.name
@@ -132,9 +139,12 @@ class IterableConnectionField(Field):
                 "Read more: https://github.com/graphql-python/graphene/blob/v2.0.0/UPGRADE-v2.0.md#node-connections"
             )
 
-        assert issubclass(connection_type, Connection), (
-            '{} type have to be a subclass of Connection. Received "{}".'
-        ).format(self.__class__.__name__, connection_type)
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=issubclass(connection_type, Connection),
+            message='{} type have to be a subclass of Connection. Received "{}".'.format(
+                self.__class__.__name__, connection_type
+            )
+        )
         return type
 
     @classmethod
@@ -142,10 +152,16 @@ class IterableConnectionField(Field):
         if isinstance(resolved, connection_type):
             return resolved
 
-        assert isinstance(resolved, Iterable), (
-            "Resolved value from the connection field have to be iterable or instance of {}. "
-            'Received "{}"'
-        ).format(connection_type, resolved)
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(resolved, Iterable),
+            message="""
+                Resolved value from the connection field have to be iterable or instance of {}.
+                Received "{}"
+            """.format(
+                connection_type, resolved
+            )
+        )
+
         connection = connection_from_list(
             resolved,
             args,
diff --git a/graphene/relay/mutation.py b/graphene/relay/mutation.py
index ee758e78..23e0f655 100644
--- a/graphene/relay/mutation.py
+++ b/graphene/relay/mutation.py
@@ -17,8 +17,15 @@ class ClientIDMutation(Mutation):
         input_class = getattr(cls, "Input", None)
         base_name = re.sub("Payload$", "", name or cls.__name__)
 
-        assert not output, "Can't specify any output"
-        assert not arguments, "Can't specify any arguments"
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not output,
+            message="Can't specify any output"
+        )
+
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not arguments,
+            message="Can't specify any arguments"
+        )
 
         bases = (InputObjectType,)
         if input_class:
@@ -41,10 +48,13 @@ class ClientIDMutation(Mutation):
         )
         mutate_and_get_payload = getattr(cls, "mutate_and_get_payload", None)
         if cls.mutate and cls.mutate.__func__ == ClientIDMutation.mutate.__func__:
-            assert mutate_and_get_payload, (
-                "{name}.mutate_and_get_payload method is required"
-                " in a ClientIDMutation."
-            ).format(name=name or cls.__name__)
+            raise_assertion_if_not(
+                condition=mutate_and_get_payload,
+                message="{name}.mutate_and_get_payload method is required" \
+                        " in a ClientIDMutation.".format(
+                            name=name or cls.__name__
+                )
+            )
 
         if not name:
             name = "{}Payload".format(base_name)
diff --git a/graphene/relay/node.py b/graphene/relay/node.py
index d9c4c0f6..50c1fccb 100644
--- a/graphene/relay/node.py
+++ b/graphene/relay/node.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from graphql_relay import from_global_id, to_global_id
 from ..types import ID, Field, Interface, ObjectType
 from ..types.interface import InterfaceOptions
 from ..types.utils import get_type
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 def is_node(objecttype):
diff --git a/graphene/types/argument.py b/graphene/types/argument.py
index 9c75bcee..e34133bb 100644
--- a/graphene/types/argument.py
+++ b/graphene/types/argument.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from .dynamic import Dynamic
 from .mountedtype import MountedType
 from .structures import NonNull
 from .utils import get_type
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class Argument(MountedType):
@@ -73,10 +74,11 @@ def to_arguments(args, extra_args=None):
             raise ValueError('Unknown argument "{}".'.format(default_name))
 
         arg_name = default_name or arg.name
-        assert (
-            arg_name not in arguments
-        ), 'More than one Argument have same name "{}".'.format(
-            arg_name
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=arg_name not in arguments,
+            message='More than one Argument have same name "{}".'.format(
+                arg_name
+            )
         )
         arguments[arg_name] = arg
 
diff --git a/graphene/types/base.py b/graphene/types/base.py
index aa97ed22..a2d74509 100644
--- a/graphene/types/base.py
+++ b/graphene/types/base.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from ..utils.subclass_with_meta import SubclassWithMeta
 from ..utils.trim_docstring import trim_docstring
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class BaseOptions(object):
@@ -31,7 +32,10 @@ class BaseType(SubclassWithMeta):
 
     @classmethod
     def __init_subclass_with_meta__(cls, name=None, description=None, _meta=None):
-        assert "_meta" not in cls.__dict__, "Can't assign directly meta"
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition="_meta" not in cls.__dict__,
+            message="Can't assign directly meta"
+        )
         if not _meta:
             return
         _meta.name = name or cls.__name__
diff --git a/graphene/types/datetime.py b/graphene/types/datetime.py
index 739032b0..f7f60519 100644
--- a/graphene/types/datetime.py
+++ b/graphene/types/datetime.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from aniso8601 import parse_date, parse_datetime, parse_time
 from graphql.language import ast
 
 from .scalars import Scalar
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class Date(Scalar):
@@ -19,9 +20,10 @@ class Date(Scalar):
     def serialize(date):
         if isinstance(date, datetime.datetime):
             date = date.date()
-        assert isinstance(
-            date, datetime.date
-        ), 'Received not compatible date "{}"'.format(repr(date))
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(date, datetime.date),
+            message='Received not compatible date "{}"'.format(repr(date))
+        )
         return date.isoformat()
 
     @classmethod
@@ -46,9 +48,10 @@ class DateTime(Scalar):
 
     @staticmethod
     def serialize(dt):
-        assert isinstance(
-            dt, (datetime.datetime, datetime.date)
-        ), 'Received not compatible datetime "{}"'.format(repr(dt))
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(dt, (datetime.datetime, datetime.date)),
+            message='Received not compatible datetime "{}"'.format(repr(dt))
+        )
         return dt.isoformat()
 
     @classmethod
@@ -73,9 +76,10 @@ class Time(Scalar):
 
     @staticmethod
     def serialize(time):
-        assert isinstance(
-            time, datetime.time
-        ), 'Received not compatible time "{}"'.format(repr(time))
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(time, datetime.time),
+            message='Received not compatible time "{}"'.format(repr(time))
+        ) 
         return time.isoformat()
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/graphene/types/field.py b/graphene/types/field.py
index a1428632..3582a242 100644
--- a/graphene/types/field.py
+++ b/graphene/types/field.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from .mountedtype import MountedType
 from .structures import NonNull
 from .unmountedtype import UnmountedType
 from .utils import get_type
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 base_type = type
 
@@ -34,15 +35,24 @@ class Field(MountedType):
         **extra_args
     ):
         super(Field, self).__init__(_creation_counter=_creation_counter)
-        assert not args or isinstance(args, Mapping), (
-            'Arguments in a field have to be a mapping, received "{}".'
-        ).format(args)
-        assert not (
-            source and resolver
-        ), "A Field cannot have a source and a resolver in at the same time."
-        assert not callable(default_value), (
-            'The default value can not be a function but received "{}".'
-        ).format(base_type(default_value))
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not args or isinstance(args, Mapping),
+            message='Arguments in a field have to be a mapping, received "{}".'.format(
+                args
+            )
+        )
+
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not(source and resolver),
+            message="A Field cannot have a source and a resolver in at the same time."
+        )
+
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not callable(default_value),
+            message='The default value can not be a function but received "{}".'.format(
+                base_type(default_value)
+            )
+        )
 
         if required:
             type = NonNull(type)
diff --git a/graphene/types/mountedtype.py b/graphene/types/mountedtype.py
index 6d0c8cf8..e5eaa35c 100644
--- a/graphene/types/mountedtype.py
+++ b/graphene/types/mountedtype.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from ..utils.orderedtype import OrderedType
 from .unmountedtype import UnmountedType
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class MountedType(OrderedType):
@@ -8,8 +9,9 @@ class MountedType(OrderedType):
         """
         Mount the UnmountedType instance
         """
-        assert isinstance(unmounted, UnmountedType), ("{} can't mount {}").format(
-            cls.__name__, repr(unmounted)
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(unmounted, UnmountedType),
+            message="{} can't mount {}".format(cls.__name__, repr(unmounted))
         )
 
         return cls(
diff --git a/graphene/types/mutation.py b/graphene/types/mutation.py
index aa8f86bb..f71d3d08 100644
--- a/graphene/types/mutation.py
+++ b/graphene/types/mutation.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from ..utils.props import props
 from .field import Field
 from .objecttype import ObjectType, ObjectTypeOptions
 from .utils import yank_fields_from_attrs
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 # For static type checking with Mypy
 MYPY = False
@@ -62,7 +63,10 @@ class Mutation(ObjectType):
 
         if not resolver:
             mutate = getattr(cls, "mutate", None)
-            assert mutate, "All mutations must define a mutate method in it"
+            raise_assertion_if_not(
+                condition=mutate,
+                message="All mutations must define a mutate method in it"
+            ) 
             resolver = get_unbound_function(mutate)
 
         if _meta.fields:
diff --git a/graphene/types/objecttype.py b/graphene/types/objecttype.py
index be4addb2..140dd076 100644
--- a/graphene/types/objecttype.py
+++ b/graphene/types/objecttype.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from .base import BaseOptions, BaseType
 from .field import Field
 from .interface import Interface
 from .utils import yank_fields_from_attrs
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 # For static type checking with Mypy
 MYPY = False
@@ -39,18 +40,25 @@ class ObjectType(BaseType):
         fields = OrderedDict()
 
         for interface in interfaces:
-            assert issubclass(interface, Interface), (
-                'All interfaces of {} must be a subclass of Interface. Received "{}".'
-            ).format(cls.__name__, interface)
+            raise_assertion_if_not(
+                condition=issubclass(interface, Interface),
+                message='All interfaces of {} must be a subclass of Interface. Received "{}".'.format(
+                    cls.__name__, interface
+                )
+            )
             fields.update(interface._meta.fields)
 
         for base in reversed(cls.__mro__):
             fields.update(yank_fields_from_attrs(base.__dict__, _as=Field))
 
-        assert not (possible_types and cls.is_type_of), (
-            "{name}.Meta.possible_types will cause type collision with {name}.is_type_of. "
-            "Please use one or other."
-        ).format(name=cls.__name__)
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not (possible_types and cls.is_type_of),
+            message=("{name}.Meta.possible_types will cause type collision with {name}.is_type_of. " \
+                "Please use one or other.".format(
+                    name=cls.__name__
+                )
+            )
+        )
 
         if _meta.fields:
             _meta.fields.update(fields)
diff --git a/graphene/types/schema.py b/graphene/types/schema.py
index a885c88a..39fee633 100644
--- a/graphene/types/schema.py
+++ b/graphene/types/schema.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from graphql.utils.schema_printer import print_schema
 from .definitions import GrapheneGraphQLType
 from .objecttype import ObjectType
 from .typemap import TypeMap, is_graphene_type
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 def assert_valid_root_type(_type):
@@ -20,9 +21,10 @@ def assert_valid_root_type(_type):
         return
     is_graphene_objecttype = inspect.isclass(_type) and issubclass(_type, ObjectType)
     is_graphql_objecttype = isinstance(_type, GraphQLObjectType)
-    assert is_graphene_objecttype or is_graphql_objecttype, (
-        "Type {} is not a valid ObjectType."
-    ).format(_type)
+    raise_assertion_if_not(
+        condition=is_graphene_objecttype or is_graphql_objecttype,
+        message="Type {} is not a valid ObjectType.".format(_type)
+    )
 
 
 class Schema(GraphQLSchema):
@@ -53,10 +55,11 @@ class Schema(GraphQLSchema):
         if directives is None:
             directives = [GraphQLIncludeDirective, GraphQLSkipDirective]
 
-        assert all(
-            isinstance(d, GraphQLDirective) for d in directives
-        ), "Schema directives must be List[GraphQLDirective] if provided but got: {}.".format(
-            directives
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=all(isinstance(d, GraphQLDirective) for d in directives),
+            message="Schema directives must be List[GraphQLDirective] if provided but got: {}.".format(
+                directives
+            )
         )
         self._directives = directives
         self.build_typemap()
diff --git a/graphene/types/structures.py b/graphene/types/structures.py
index dde68f0f..f383e6cc 100644
--- a/graphene/types/structures.py
+++ b/graphene/types/structures.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from .unmountedtype import UnmountedType
 from .utils import get_type
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class Structure(UnmountedType):
@@ -67,9 +68,12 @@ class NonNull(Structure):
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super(NonNull, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
-        assert not isinstance(self._of_type, NonNull), (
-            "Can only create NonNull of a Nullable GraphQLType but got: {}."
-        ).format(self._of_type)
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=not isinstance(self._of_type, NonNull),
+            message="Can only create NonNull of a Nullable GraphQLType but got: {}.".format(
+                self._of_type
+            )
+        )
 
     def __str__(self):
         return "{}!".format(self.of_type)
diff --git a/graphene/types/typemap.py b/graphene/types/typemap.py
index 9edb8518..25735613 100644
--- a/graphene/types/typemap.py
+++ b/graphene/types/typemap.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ from .scalars import ID, Boolean, Float, Int, Scalar, String
 from .structures import List, NonNull
 from .union import Union
 from .utils import get_field_as
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 def is_graphene_type(_type):
@@ -60,10 +61,16 @@ def resolve_type(resolve_type_func, map, type_name, root, info):
 
     if inspect.isclass(_type) and issubclass(_type, ObjectType):
         graphql_type = map.get(_type._meta.name)
-        assert graphql_type, "Can't find type {} in schema".format(_type._meta.name)
-        assert graphql_type.graphene_type == _type, (
-            "The type {} does not match with the associated graphene type {}."
-        ).format(_type, graphql_type.graphene_type)
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=graphql_type,
+            message="Can't find type {} in schema".format(_type._meta.name)
+        )
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=graphql_type.graphene_type is _type,
+            message="The type {} does not match with the associated graphene type {}.".format(
+                _type, graphql_type.graphene_type
+            )
+        )
         return graphql_type
 
     return _type
@@ -94,9 +101,12 @@ class TypeMap(GraphQLTypeMap):
         if type._meta.name in map:
             _type = map[type._meta.name]
             if isinstance(_type, GrapheneGraphQLType):
-                assert _type.graphene_type == type, (
-                    "Found different types with the same name in the schema: {}, {}."
-                ).format(_type.graphene_type, type)
+                raise_assertion_if_not(
+                    condition=_type.graphene_type is type,
+                    message="Found different types with the same name in the schema: {}, {}.".format(
+                        _type.graphene_type, type
+                    )
+                )
             return map
 
         if issubclass(type, ObjectType):
@@ -173,9 +183,12 @@ class TypeMap(GraphQLTypeMap):
         if type._meta.name in map:
             _type = map[type._meta.name]
             if isinstance(_type, GrapheneGraphQLType):
-                assert _type.graphene_type == type, (
-                    "Found different types with the same name in the schema: {}, {}."
-                ).format(_type.graphene_type, type)
+                raise_assertion_if_not(
+                    condition=_type.graphene_type is type,
+                    message="Found different types with the same name in the schema: {}, {}.".format(
+                        _type.graphene_type, type
+                    )
+                )
             return _type
 
         def interfaces():
@@ -183,7 +196,9 @@ class TypeMap(GraphQLTypeMap):
             for interface in type._meta.interfaces:
                 self.graphene_reducer(map, interface)
                 internal_type = map[interface._meta.name]
-                assert internal_type.graphene_type == interface
+                raise_assertion_if_not(
+                    condition=internal_type.graphene_type is interface
+                )
                 interfaces.append(internal_type)
             return interfaces
 
@@ -207,9 +222,12 @@ class TypeMap(GraphQLTypeMap):
         if type._meta.name in map:
             _type = map[type._meta.name]
             if isinstance(_type, GrapheneInterfaceType):
-                assert _type.graphene_type == type, (
-                    "Found different types with the same name in the schema: {}, {}."
-                ).format(_type.graphene_type, type)
+                raise_assertion_if_not(
+                    condition=_type.graphene_type is type,
+                    message="Found different types with the same name in the schema: {}, {}.".format(
+                        _type.graphene_type, type
+                    )
+                )
             return _type
 
         _resolve_type = None
@@ -248,7 +266,9 @@ class TypeMap(GraphQLTypeMap):
             for objecttype in type._meta.types:
                 self.graphene_reducer(map, objecttype)
                 internal_type = map[objecttype._meta.name]
-                assert internal_type.graphene_type == objecttype
+                raise_assertion_if_not(
+                    condition=internal_type.graphene_type is objecttype
+                )
                 union_types.append(internal_type)
             return union_types
 
diff --git a/graphene/types/union.py b/graphene/types/union.py
index dc207e8e..5b3bfd96 100644
--- a/graphene/types/union.py
+++ b/graphene/types/union.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from .base import BaseOptions, BaseType
 from .unmountedtype import UnmountedType
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 # For static type checking with Mypy
 MYPY = False
@@ -23,10 +24,10 @@ class Union(UnmountedType, BaseType):
 
     @classmethod
     def __init_subclass_with_meta__(cls, types=None, **options):
-        assert (
-            isinstance(types, (list, tuple)) and len(types) > 0
-        ), "Must provide types for Union {name}.".format(name=cls.__name__)
-
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(types, (list, tuple)) and len(types) > 0,
+            message="Must provide types for Union {name}.".format(name=cls.__name__)
+        )
         _meta = UnionOptions(cls)
         _meta.types = types
         super(Union, cls).__init_subclass_with_meta__(_meta=_meta, **options)
diff --git a/graphene/types/uuid.py b/graphene/types/uuid.py
index abb8f110..d1f42683 100644
--- a/graphene/types/uuid.py
+++ b/graphene/types/uuid.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from uuid import UUID as _UUID
 from graphql.language import ast
 
 from .scalars import Scalar
+from ..utils.comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 class UUID(Scalar):
@@ -14,8 +15,9 @@ class UUID(Scalar):
     def serialize(uuid):
         if isinstance(uuid, str):
             uuid = _UUID(uuid)
-        assert isinstance(uuid, _UUID), "Expected UUID instance, received {}".format(
-            uuid
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition=isinstance(uuid, _UUID),
+            message="Expected UUID instance, received {}".format(uuid)
         )
         return str(uuid)
 
diff --git a/graphene/utils/annotate.py b/graphene/utils/annotate.py
index 43a26ef6..9b8cb15c 100644
--- a/graphene/utils/annotate.py
+++ b/graphene/utils/annotate.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import six
 
 from ..pyutils.compat import func_name, signature
 from .deprecated import warn_deprecation
+from .comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
 
 
 def annotate(_func=None, _trigger_warning=True, **annotations):
@@ -22,9 +23,12 @@ def annotate(_func=None, _trigger_warning=True, **annotations):
 
     # We make sure the annotations are valid
     for key, value in annotations.items():
-        assert key in func_signature.parameters, (
-            'The key {key} is not a function parameter in the function "{func_name}".'
-        ).format(key=key, func_name=func_name(_func))
+        raise_assertion_if_not(
+            condition= key in func_signature.parameters,
+            message='The key {key} is not a function parameter in the function "{func_name}".'.format(
+                key=key, func_name=func_name(_func)
+            )
+        )
 
     func_annotations = getattr(_func, "__annotations__", None)
     if func_annotations is None:
diff --git a/graphene/utils/comparison_helper.py b/graphene/utils/comparison_helper.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..477382e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/graphene/utils/comparison_helper.py
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+def raise_assertion_if_not(condition=None, message=None):
+    if not condition:
+        raise AssertionError(message)
diff --git a/graphene/utils/subclass_with_meta.py b/graphene/utils/subclass_with_meta.py
index 01fc5375..5b4ff134 100644
--- a/graphene/utils/subclass_with_meta.py
+++ b/graphene/utils/subclass_with_meta.py
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import six
 
 from ..pyutils.init_subclass import InitSubclassMeta
 from .props import props
+from .comparison_helper import raise_assertion_if_not
+
 
 
 class SubclassWithMeta_Meta(InitSubclassMeta):
@@ -42,10 +44,13 @@ class SubclassWithMeta(six.with_metaclass(SubclassWithMeta_Meta)):
 
         abstract = options.pop("abstract", False)
         if abstract:
-            assert not options, (
-                "Abstract types can only contain the abstract attribute. "
-                "Received: abstract, {option_keys}"
-            ).format(option_keys=", ".join(options.keys()))
+            raise_assertion_if_not(
+                condition=not options,
+                message="Abstract types can only contain the abstract attribute. " \
+                    "Received: abstract, {option_keys}".format(
+                        option_keys=", ".join(options.keys())
+                )
+            )
         else:
             super_class = super(cls, cls)
             if hasattr(super_class, "__init_subclass_with_meta__"):