diff --git a/beacon_node/eth2_libp2p/src/config.rs b/beacon_node/eth2_libp2p/src/config.rs
index 128fb597b3..6c482cbdb0 100644
--- a/beacon_node/eth2_libp2p/src/config.rs
+++ b/beacon_node/eth2_libp2p/src/config.rs
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ impl Default for Config {
             .history_length(6)
             .history_gossip(3)
             .validate_messages() // require validation before propagation
-            .validation_mode(ValidationMode::Permissive)
+            .validation_mode(ValidationMode::Anonymous)
             // prevent duplicates for 550 heartbeats(700millis * 550) = 385 secs
             .duplicate_cache_time(Duration::from_secs(385))
             .message_id_fn(gossip_message_id)