diff --git a/lib/MessageSink.js b/lib/MessageSink.js
index eb6e18a..f93273e 100755
--- a/lib/MessageSink.js
+++ b/lib/MessageSink.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ const errors = require('./MessageSink/errors.js');
 const MSG_CREATE_EXPORT_KEYS = ['api_key', 'user_id', 'type', 'time_stamp', 
   'platform', 'message', 'intent', 'version', 'response_time', 'custom_session_id'];
 const REQUIRED_MSG_CREATE_EXPORT_KEYS = ['api_key', 'type', 'user_id',
-  'time_stamp', 'platform', 'message'];
+  'time_stamp', 'platform'];
 const MSG_UPDATE_EXPORT_KEYS = ['api_key', 'message_id', 'intent',
   'feedback', 'version'];
 const REQUIRED_MSG_UPDATE_EXPORT_KEYS = ['api_key', 'message_id'];
diff --git a/tests/unit/MessageSink.js b/tests/unit/MessageSink.js
index b17a4c8..ccb78d1 100644
--- a/tests/unit/MessageSink.js
+++ b/tests/unit/MessageSink.js
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ test('validateCreateManifest should return false on a new instance', t => {
 test('validateCreateManifest should return true when all required string are set',  t => {
   inst.api_key = STUB;
   inst.user_id = STUB;
-  t.is(inst.setPlatform(STUB).setMessage(STUB).validateCreateManifest(), true);
+  t.is(inst.setPlatform(STUB).validateCreateManifest(), true);
 });
 
 test('validateUpdateManifest should return false on an instance with api_key and message_id set', t => {