diff --git a/src/base/system.cpp b/src/base/system.cpp
index 079286342..89a09f68c 100644
--- a/src/base/system.cpp
+++ b/src/base/system.cpp
@@ -2209,16 +2209,12 @@ int net_would_block()
 #endif
 }
 
-int net_init()
+void net_init()
 {
 #if defined(CONF_FAMILY_WINDOWS)
-	WSADATA wsaData;
-	int err = WSAStartup(MAKEWORD(1, 1), &wsaData);
-	dbg_assert(err == 0, "network initialization failed.");
-	return err == 0 ? 0 : 1;
+	WSADATA wsa_data;
+	dbg_assert(WSAStartup(MAKEWORD(1, 1), &wsa_data) == 0, "network initialization failed.");
 #endif
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 #if defined(CONF_FAMILY_UNIX)
diff --git a/src/base/system.h b/src/base/system.h
index 98490f1ed..c1f01bfe3 100644
--- a/src/base/system.h
+++ b/src/base/system.h
@@ -879,11 +879,9 @@ typedef struct sockaddr_un UNIXSOCKETADDR;
  *
  * @ingroup Network-General
  *
- * @return 0 on success.
- *
  * @remark You must call this function before using any other network functions.
  */
-int net_init();
+void net_init();
 
 /*
 	Function: net_host_lookup