diff --git a/net/igmp/igmp_msg.c b/net/igmp/igmp_msg.c
index ccade2db6c2..9d46c3d70c4 100644
--- a/net/igmp/igmp_msg.c
+++ b/net/igmp/igmp_msg.c
@@ -77,9 +77,15 @@ int igmp_schedmsg(FAR struct igmp_group_s *group, uint8_t msgid)
 {
   FAR struct net_driver_s *dev;
 
-  DEBUGASSERT(group != NULL && !IS_SCHEDMSG(group->flags));
+  DEBUGASSERT(group != NULL);
   DEBUGASSERT(group->ifindex > 0);
 
+  if (IS_SCHEDMSG(group->flags))
+    {
+      nerr("ERROR: The group %u is busy\n", group->ifindex);
+      return -EBUSY;
+    }
+
   /* Get the device instance associated with the interface index of the
    * group
    */