diff --git a/models/execute/request.go b/models/execute/request.go
index 655a2e1f..dd53721e 100644
--- a/models/execute/request.go
+++ b/models/execute/request.go
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ func (r Request) Valid() error {
 	var err *multierror.Error
 
 	if r.FunctionID == "" {
-		multierror.Append(err, errors.New("function ID is required"))
+		err = multierror.Append(err, errors.New("function ID is required"))
 	}
 
 	if r.Method == "" {
-		multierror.Append(err, errors.New("method is required"))
+		err = multierror.Append(err, errors.New("method is required"))
 	}
 
 	return err.ErrorOrNil()
diff --git a/node/process.go b/node/process.go
index ad17b327..c225a1e6 100644
--- a/node/process.go
+++ b/node/process.go
@@ -146,12 +146,12 @@ func handleMessage[T blockless.Message](ctx context.Context, from peer.ID, paylo
 
 	// If the message provides a validation mechanism - use it.
 	type validator interface {
-		Validate() error
+		Valid() error
 	}
 
 	vmsg, ok := any(msg).(validator)
 	if ok {
-		err = vmsg.Validate()
+		err = vmsg.Valid()
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("rejecting message that failed validation: %w", err)
 		}