diff --git a/cv7/program.c b/cv7/program.c
index 69e94ce..b45f611 100644
--- a/cv7/program.c
+++ b/cv7/program.c
@@ -81,7 +81,10 @@ struct tree* read_tree() {
 
     // Read a line from stdin
     char* r = fgets(buffer, SIZE, stdin);
-    assert(r);  // Ensure reading was successful
+    if (r == NULL) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "Error: Failed to read input\n");
+        exit(1);  // Exit the program if reading fails
+    }
 
     // Allocate memory for a new tree node
     struct tree* node = calloc(1, sizeof(struct tree));
@@ -105,6 +108,7 @@ struct tree* read_tree() {
     return node;
 }
 
+
 int main() {
     int counter = 0;
     struct tree *root = read_tree(&counter);  // Try reading the tree