diff --git a/src/AbstractElement.php b/src/AbstractElement.php
index cf3acb8..b0576db 100644
--- a/src/AbstractElement.php
+++ b/src/AbstractElement.php
@@ -101,6 +101,8 @@ public static function getOptionalAttribute(
         string $type = StringValue::class,
         ?ValueTypeInterface $default = null,
     ): ?ValueTypeInterface {
+        Assert::nullOrIsInstanceOf($default, $type);
+
         if (!$xml->hasAttribute($name)) {
             return $default;
         }