diff --git a/direct/src/ffi/FFIExternalObject.py b/direct/src/ffi/FFIExternalObject.py
index d4fe62f501..26275599bf 100644
--- a/direct/src/ffi/FFIExternalObject.py
+++ b/direct/src/ffi/FFIExternalObject.py
@@ -179,6 +179,8 @@ class FFIExternalObject:
             lineStream = LineStream.LineStream()
             self.output(lineStream)
             baseRepr = lineStream.getLine()
+        except AssertionError, e:
+            raise AssertionError, e
         except:
             baseRepr = ('[' + self.__class__.__name__ + ' at: ' + `self.this` + ']')
         # In any case, return the baseRepr
@@ -199,18 +201,24 @@ class FFIExternalObject:
             self.write(lineStream)
             while lineStream.isTextAvailable():
                 baseRepr = baseRepr + '\n' + lineStream.getLine()
+        except AssertionError, e:
+            raise AssertionError, e
         except:
             try:
                 # Sometimes write insists on a seconds parameter.
                 self.write(lineStream, 0)
                 while lineStream.isTextAvailable():
                     baseRepr = baseRepr + '\n' + lineStream.getLine()
+            except AssertionError, e:
+                raise AssertionError, e
             except:
                 try:
                     # Ok, no write function, lets try output then
                     self.output(lineStream)
                     while lineStream.isTextAvailable():
                         baseRepr = baseRepr + '\n' + lineStream.getLine()
+                except AssertionError, e:
+                    raise AssertionError, e
                 except:
                     pass
         # In any case, return the baseRepr