diff --git a/python/CHANGELOG b/python/CHANGELOG
index 19e50f72e..5190bfab4 100644
--- a/python/CHANGELOG
+++ b/python/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
-1.40.x
+1.40.1
 ---------------
 
 - emit "ac_member_removed" event (with 'actor' being the removed contact) 
   for when a user leaves a group.
 
+- fix create_contact(addr) when addr is the self-contact. 
+
 
 1.40.0
 ---------------
diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/account.py b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
index f2b7b1cff..e8e7dd04d 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/account.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
@@ -246,7 +246,6 @@ class Account(object):
         addr = as_dc_charpointer(addr)
         name = as_dc_charpointer(name)
         contact_id = lib.dc_create_contact(self._dc_context, name, addr)
-        assert contact_id > const.DC_CHAT_ID_LAST_SPECIAL, contact_id
         return Contact(self, contact_id)
 
     def delete_contact(self, contact):
diff --git a/python/tests/test_account.py b/python/tests/test_account.py
index 8613f813e..b340caa2d 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_account.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_account.py
@@ -129,6 +129,11 @@ class TestOfflineContact:
         assert not contact1.is_blocked()
         assert not contact1.is_verified()
 
+    def test_create_self_contact(self, acfactory):
+        ac1 = acfactory.get_configured_offline_account()
+        contact1 = ac1.create_contact(ac1.get_config("addr"))
+        assert contact1.id == 1
+
     def test_get_contacts_and_delete(self, acfactory):
         ac1 = acfactory.get_configured_offline_account()
         contact1 = ac1.create_contact("some1@example.org", name="some1")