diff --git a/src/session_impl.cpp b/src/session_impl.cpp
index 575e8f487..261d2cfa0 100644
--- a/src/session_impl.cpp
+++ b/src/session_impl.cpp
@@ -2133,15 +2133,10 @@ namespace aux {
 			|| m_dht_same_port)
 		{
 			m_dht_same_port = true;
-			// if you hit this assert you are trying to start the
-			// DHT with the same port as the tcp listen port
-			// (which is default) _before_ you have opened the
-			// tcp listen port (so there is no configured port to use)
-			// basically, make sure you call listen_on() before
-			// start_dht(). See documentation for listen_on() for
-			// more information.
-			TORRENT_ASSERT(m_listen_interface.port() > 0);
-			m_dht_settings.service_port = m_listen_interface.port();
+			if (m_listen_interface.port() > 0)
+				m_dht_settings.service_port = m_listen_interface.port();
+			else
+				m_dht_settings.service_port = 45000 + (rand() % 10000);
 		}
 		m_external_udp_port = m_dht_settings.service_port;
 		if (m_natpmp.get() && m_udp_mapping[0] == -1)