diff --git a/packages/local_auth/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/local_auth/CHANGELOG.md
index 429e217cc167..f6c38489d8bb 100644
--- a/packages/local_auth/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/local_auth/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+## 1.1.4
+
+* Add debug assertion that `localizedReason` in `LocalAuthentication.authenticateWithBiometrics`  must not be empty.
+
 ## 1.1.3
 
 * Fix crashes due to threading issues in iOS implementation.
diff --git a/packages/local_auth/lib/local_auth.dart b/packages/local_auth/lib/local_auth.dart
index 3f332592a4dd..0b75a83d4029 100644
--- a/packages/local_auth/lib/local_auth.dart
+++ b/packages/local_auth/lib/local_auth.dart
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class LocalAuthentication {
   ///
   /// [localizedReason] is the message to show to user while prompting them
   /// for authentication. This is typically along the lines of: 'Please scan
-  /// your finger to access MyApp.'
+  /// your finger to access MyApp.'. This must not be empty.
   ///
   /// [useErrorDialogs] = true means the system will attempt to handle user
   /// fixable issues encountered while authenticating. For instance, if
@@ -100,7 +100,8 @@ class LocalAuthentication {
     bool sensitiveTransaction = true,
     bool biometricOnly = false,
   }) async {
-    assert(localizedReason != null);
+    assert(localizedReason.isNotEmpty);
+
     final Map<String, Object> args = <String, Object>{
       'localizedReason': localizedReason,
       'useErrorDialogs': useErrorDialogs,
diff --git a/packages/local_auth/pubspec.yaml b/packages/local_auth/pubspec.yaml
index 5e2dbb4e6183..eccc2f812a89 100644
--- a/packages/local_auth/pubspec.yaml
+++ b/packages/local_auth/pubspec.yaml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: local_auth
 description: Flutter plugin for Android and iOS devices to allow local
   authentication via fingerprint, touch ID, face ID, passcode, pin, or pattern.
 homepage: https://github.com/flutter/plugins/tree/master/packages/local_auth
-version: 1.1.3
+version: 1.1.4
 
 flutter:
   plugin:
diff --git a/packages/local_auth/test/local_auth_test.dart b/packages/local_auth/test/local_auth_test.dart
index d0a4dc8fc594..b24de8bd3c11 100644
--- a/packages/local_auth/test/local_auth_test.dart
+++ b/packages/local_auth/test/local_auth_test.dart
@@ -73,6 +73,17 @@ void main() {
         );
       });
 
+      test('authenticate with no localizedReason on iOS.', () async {
+        setMockPathProviderPlatform(FakePlatform(operatingSystem: 'ios'));
+        await expectLater(
+          localAuthentication.authenticate(
+            localizedReason: '',
+            biometricOnly: true,
+          ),
+          throwsAssertionError,
+        );
+      });
+
       test('authenticate with no sensitive transaction.', () async {
         setMockPathProviderPlatform(FakePlatform(operatingSystem: 'android'));
         await localAuthentication.authenticate(