diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index a39e11795..adb31217b 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -165,3 +165,12 @@ ext {
 //        }
 //    }
 //}
+
+allprojects {
+    tasks.withType(JavaExec) {
+        enableAssertions = true // false by default
+    }
+    tasks.withType(Test) {
+        enableAssertions = true // true by default
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/jme3-core/src/test/java/com/jme3/SetupTest.java b/jme3-core/src/test/java/com/jme3/SetupTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fdf35dbf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jme3-core/src/test/java/com/jme3/SetupTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2009-2015 jMonkeyEngine
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ * * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * * Neither the name of 'jMonkeyEngine' nor the names of its contributors
+ *   may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
+ *   without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
+ * TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
+ * PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR
+ * CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
+ * EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+ * PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
+ * PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
+ * LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
+ * NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
+ * SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+package com.jme3;
+
+import org.junit.Test;
+
+/**
+ *
+ * @author davidB
+ */
+public class SetupTest {
+    
+   @Test(expected=AssertionError.class)
+   public void testAssertionEnabled() {
+       assert false;
+   }
+}