assertion failure in javac when compiling with -source 1.6 -target 1.6

FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
1.8.0 build 72

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Linux kuling.bothner.com 3.6.11-1.fc17.x86_64 #1 SMP Mon Dec 17 22:16:35 UTC 2012 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Compiling a simple program (see " Step to Reproduce) that uses a MethodHandle causes javac to crash if passed the flags -target 1.6 -source 1.6

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Compile the following simple program with the flags -target 1.6 -source 1.6

$ cat Crasher.java
public class Crasher {
    static java.lang.invoke.MethodHandle getNamedMember;
    public static Object getMember(String name, Object rec) throws Throwable {
        return getNamedMember.invoke(rec, name);
    }
}
$ javac -target 1.6 -source 1.6 Crasher.java

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
A warning about the bootstrap class path.
ACTUAL -
javac crashes with an assertion.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
warning: [options] bootstrap class path not set in conjunction with -source 1.6
An exception has occurred in the compiler (1.8.0-ea). Please file a bug at the Java Developer Connection (http://java.sun.com/webapps/bugreport) after checking the Bug Parade for duplicates. Include your program and the following diagnostic in your report. Thank you.
java.lang.AssertionError
at com.sun.tools.javac.util.Assert.error(Assert.java:126)
at com.sun.tools.javac.util.Assert.check(Assert.java:45)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.visitApply(TransTypes.java:642)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.JCTree$JCMethodInvocation.accept(JCTree.java:1391)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:58)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.translate(TransTypes.java:453)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.visitReturn(TransTypes.java:614)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.JCTree$JCReturn.accept(JCTree.java:1310)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:58)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:70)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.visitBlock(TreeTranslator.java:160)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.JCTree$JCBlock.accept(JCTree.java:835)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:58)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.translate(TransTypes.java:453)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.visitMethodDef(TransTypes.java:487)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.JCTree$JCMethodDecl.accept(JCTree.java:723)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:58)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:70)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.visitClassDef(TreeTranslator.java:134)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.translateClass(TransTypes.java:934)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.visitClassDef(TransTypes.java:474)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.JCTree$JCClassDecl.accept(JCTree.java:644)
at com.sun.tools.javac.tree.TreeTranslator.translate(TreeTranslator.java:58)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.translate(TransTypes.java:453)
at com.sun.tools.javac.comp.TransTypes.translateTopLevelClass(TransTypes.java:961)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.JavaCompiler.desugar(JavaCompiler.java:1461)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.JavaCompiler.desugar(JavaCompiler.java:1357)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.JavaCompiler.compile2(JavaCompiler.java:907)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.JavaCompiler.compile(JavaCompiler.java:866)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.Main.compile(Main.java:506)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.Main.compile(Main.java:365)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.Main.compile(Main.java:354)
at com.sun.tools.javac.main.Main.compile(Main.java:345)
at com.sun.tools.javac.Main.compile(Main.java:76)
at com.sun.tools.javac.Main.main(Main.java:61)


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Modify -source 1.6 -target 1.6 to -source 1.7 -target 1.7.