diff --git a/runtime/bindings/python/initialize_module.cc b/runtime/bindings/python/initialize_module.cc
index 4e79c99..db9d242 100644
--- a/runtime/bindings/python/initialize_module.cc
+++ b/runtime/bindings/python/initialize_module.cc
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@
 
     char **argv = &flag_ptrs[0];
     int argc = flag_ptrs.size();
-    CheckApiStatus(
-        iree_flags_parse(IREE_FLAGS_PARSE_MODE_DEFAULT, &argc, &argv),
-        "Error parsing flags");
+    CheckApiStatus(iree_flags_parse(IREE_FLAGS_PARSE_MODE_CONTINUE_AFTER_HELP,
+                                    &argc, &argv),
+                   "Error parsing flags");
   });
 }
 
diff --git a/runtime/bindings/python/tests/flags_test.py b/runtime/bindings/python/tests/flags_test.py
index 886176a..56309ab 100644
--- a/runtime/bindings/python/tests/flags_test.py
+++ b/runtime/bindings/python/tests/flags_test.py
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 class FlagsTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
   def testParse(self):
-    # We always have the logging verbose level available so use it.
-    rt.flags.parse_flags("--iree_v=1")
+    # --help is always available if flags are.
+    rt.flags.parse_flags("--help")
 
   def testParseError(self):
     with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, "flag 'barbar' not recognized"):
diff --git a/runtime/bindings/python/vm.cc b/runtime/bindings/python/vm.cc
index d6a78e5..440732b 100644
--- a/runtime/bindings/python/vm.cc
+++ b/runtime/bindings/python/vm.cc
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
     CheckApiStatus(status, "Error creating vm context with modules");
   }
 
-  IREE_CHECK(context);
+  IREE_ASSERT(context);
   return VmContext::StealFromRawPtr(context);
 }