diff --git a/sdk/lib/atl/atlimage.h b/sdk/lib/atl/atlimage.h
index f124c9a1483..85d8b7ae367 100644
--- a/sdk/lib/atl/atlimage.h
+++ b/sdk/lib/atl/atlimage.h
@@ -383,7 +383,8 @@ public:
         using namespace Gdiplus;
         GpBitmap *pBitmap = NULL;
         GetCommon().CreateBitmapFromFile(pszNameW, &pBitmap);
-        ATLASSERT(pBitmap);
+        if(!pBitmap)
+            return E_FAIL;
 
         // TODO & FIXME: get parameters (m_rgbTransColor etc.)
 
@@ -408,7 +409,8 @@ public:
         using namespace Gdiplus;
         GpBitmap *pBitmap = NULL;
         GetCommon().CreateBitmapFromStream(pStream, &pBitmap);
-        ATLASSERT(pBitmap);
+        if(!pBitmap)
+            return E_FAIL;
 
         // TODO & FIXME: get parameters (m_rgbTransColor etc.)