diff --git a/core/lib/assert.c b/core/lib/assert.c
index bf5607bdaa..fcbed9743e 100644
--- a/core/lib/assert.c
+++ b/core/lib/assert.c
@@ -19,16 +19,26 @@
 #include "architecture.h"
 #include "cpu.h"
 #include "panic.h"
+#if IS_USED(MODULE_BACKTRACE)
+#include "backtrace.h"
+#endif
 
 __NORETURN void _assert_failure(const char *file, unsigned line)
 {
     printf("%s:%u => ", file, line);
+#if IS_USED(MODULE_BACKTRACE)
+    printf("failed assertion. Backtrace:\n");
+    backtrace_print();
+#endif
     core_panic(PANIC_ASSERT_FAIL, "FAILED ASSERTION.");
 }
 
 __NORETURN void _assert_panic(void)
 {
     printf("%" PRIxTXTPTR "\n", cpu_get_caller_pc());
+#if IS_USED(MODULE_BACKTRACE)
+    backtrace_print();
+#endif
     core_panic(PANIC_ASSERT_FAIL, "FAILED ASSERTION.");
 }
 
diff --git a/core/lib/include/assert.h b/core/lib/include/assert.h
index 1e328596df..35d7cbac37 100644
--- a/core/lib/include/assert.h
+++ b/core/lib/include/assert.h
@@ -108,6 +108,9 @@ __NORETURN void _assert_failure(const char *file, unsigned line);
  * or `gdb` (with the command `info line *(0x89abcdef)`) to identify the line
  * the assertion failed in.
  *
+ * If the `backtrace` module is enabled (and implemented for architecture in use)
+ * a backtrace will be printed in addition to the location of the failed assertion.
+ *
  * @see http://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/functions/assert.html
  */
 #define assert(cond) ((cond) ? (void)0 :  _assert_failure(RIOT_FILE_RELATIVE, \