diff --git a/public/emboss_defines.h b/public/emboss_defines.h
index 532057d..fd64b24 100644
--- a/public/emboss_defines.h
+++ b/public/emboss_defines.h
@@ -55,12 +55,12 @@
 #ifndef EMBOSS_PUBLIC_EMBOSS_DEFINES_H_
 #define EMBOSS_PUBLIC_EMBOSS_DEFINES_H_
 
+#include <cassert>
+
 // START INSERT_INCLUDE_SITE_DEFINES_HERE
 // #include "MY_SITE_DEFINES.h"
 // END INSERT_INCLUDE_SITE_DEFINES_HERE
 
-#include <cassert>
-
 // EMBOSS_CHECK should abort the program if the given expression evaluates to
 // false.
 //