diff --git a/python/lib/core/dmod/core/dataset.py b/python/lib/core/dmod/core/dataset.py
index 6a9f815dd..a2cb5dfe8 100644
--- a/python/lib/core/dmod/core/dataset.py
+++ b/python/lib/core/dmod/core/dataset.py
@@ -201,15 +201,18 @@ def manager(self) -> Optional[DatasetManager]:
         """
         return self._manager
 
-    @manager.setter
-    def manager(self, value: DatasetManager = None):
-        self._manager = value if isinstance(value, DatasetManager) else None
+    def set_manager(self, value: DatasetManager):
+        """
+        Sets the ::class:`DatasetManager` and updates the
+        ::attribute:`manager_uuid` property on this instances.
 
-        if value is not None:
-            # pydantic will not validate this, so we need to check it
-            if not isinstance(value.uuid, UUID):
-                raise ValueError(f"Expected UUID got {type(value.uuid)}")
-            self.manager_uuid = value.uuid
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        value: DatasetManager
+            The new value for ::attribute:`manager`.
+        """
+        self._manager = value
+        self.manager_uuid = value.uuid
 
     def __hash__(self):
         members = [