diff --git a/bzz/protocol.go b/bzz/protocol.go
index 9b26d4331e..1bfe2806dd 100644
--- a/bzz/protocol.go
+++ b/bzz/protocol.go
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ func (self *bzzProtocol) handle() error {
 			return self.protoError(ErrDecode, "->msg %v: %v", msg, err)
 		}
 		dpaLogger.Warnf("Request message: %#v", req)
-		if req.Key == nil || req.Timeout == nil {
+		if req.Key == nil {
 			return self.protoError(ErrDecode, "protocol handler: req.Key == nil || req.Timeout == nil")
 		}
 		req.peer = peer{bzzProtocol: self}