diff --git a/include/gsl/assert b/include/gsl/assert
index f1fd7bc..2fb56ee 100644
--- a/include/gsl/assert
+++ b/include/gsl/assert
@@ -115,13 +115,8 @@ public:
     void expects  (bool b) { assertion(b); }
     void ensures  (bool b) { assertion(b); }
 private:
-    void assertion(bool b) { if (!b) chandler.load()(); }
-
-#ifdef __cpp_guaranteed_copy_elision
-    std::atomic<handler> chandler;  // current handler
-#else
+    void assertion(bool b) { if (!b) chandler(); }
     handler chandler;
-#endif
 };
 
 auto static Default = contract_group( &gsl::details::terminate );