diff --git a/lib/writer.js b/lib/writer.js
index 01362539..2ba45e69 100644
--- a/lib/writer.js
+++ b/lib/writer.js
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ module.exports = class Writer extends ReadyResource {
   }
 
   reset (length) {
-    assert(length <= this.core.length)
+    assert(length <= this.core.length || length <= this.length)
 
     this.pause()