diff --git a/include/spdk/bdev_module.h b/include/spdk/bdev_module.h
index 6d0c2210f..b48979988 100644
--- a/include/spdk/bdev_module.h
+++ b/include/spdk/bdev_module.h
@@ -951,8 +951,8 @@ void spdk_bdev_module_examine_done(struct spdk_bdev_module *module);
 /**
  * Indicate to the bdev layer that the module is done initializing.
  *
- * To be called once during module_init or asynchronously after
- * an asynchronous operation required for module initialization is completed.
+ * To be called once after an asynchronous operation required for module initialization is
+ * completed. If module->async_init is false, the module must not call this function.
  *
  * \param module Pointer to the module completing the initialization.
  */
diff --git a/lib/bdev/bdev.c b/lib/bdev/bdev.c
index 2120fec6f..51c9b6f31 100644
--- a/lib/bdev/bdev.c
+++ b/lib/bdev/bdev.c
@@ -1583,6 +1583,7 @@ bdev_module_action_done(struct spdk_bdev_module *module)
 void
 spdk_bdev_module_init_done(struct spdk_bdev_module *module)
 {
+	assert(module->async_init);
 	bdev_module_action_done(module);
 }