diff --git a/src/build/debug_asserts.rs b/src/build/debug_asserts.rs
index 76bc0a96f09..7b470d84316 100644
--- a/src/build/debug_asserts.rs
+++ b/src/build/debug_asserts.rs
@@ -301,6 +301,17 @@ pub(crate) fn assert_app(cmd: &Command) {
             group.name,
         );
 
+        for arg in &group.args {
+            // Args listed inside groups should exist
+            assert!(
+                cmd.get_arguments().any(|x| x.id == *arg),
+                "Command {}: Argument group '{}' contains non-existent argument '{:?}'",
+                cmd.get_name(),
+                group.name,
+                arg
+            );
+        }
+
         // Required groups should have at least one arg without default values
         if group.required && !group.args.is_empty() {
             assert!(
@@ -313,17 +324,6 @@ pub(crate) fn assert_app(cmd: &Command) {
                 group.name
             )
         }
-
-        for arg in &group.args {
-            // Args listed inside groups should exist
-            assert!(
-                cmd.get_arguments().any(|x| x.id == *arg),
-                "Command {}: Argument group '{}' contains non-existent argument '{:?}'",
-                cmd.get_name(),
-                group.name,
-                arg
-            );
-        }
     }
 
     // Conflicts between flags and subcommands