diff --git a/sys/sys/refcount.h b/sys/sys/refcount.h
index 212e8e516271..44588fe3c812 100644
--- a/sys/sys/refcount.h
+++ b/sys/sys/refcount.h
@@ -30,11 +30,9 @@
 
 #include <machine/atomic.h>
 
-#if defined(_KERNEL) || defined(_STANDALONE)
 #include <sys/systm.h>
-#else
+#if !defined(_KERNEL) && !defined(_STANDALONE)
 #include <stdbool.h>
-#define	KASSERT(exp, msg)	/* */
 #endif
 
 #define	REFCOUNT_SATURATED(val)		(((val) & (1U << 31)) != 0)