diff --git a/beagle/__init__.py b/beagle/__init__.py
index 4eabd0b3..e835b9d0 100644
--- a/beagle/__init__.py
+++ b/beagle/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = "2.1.2"
+__version__ = "2.1.3"
diff --git a/beagle_etl/smile_message/metadata_validator.py b/beagle_etl/smile_message/metadata_validator.py
index f8c9b8e5..a148ec02 100644
--- a/beagle_etl/smile_message/metadata_validator.py
+++ b/beagle_etl/smile_message/metadata_validator.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
         "investigatorSampleId": {"type": "string"},
         "baitSet": {"type": ["null", "string"]},
         "cmoPatientId": {"type": "string"},
-        "collectionYear": {"type": "string"},
+        "collectionYear": {"type": ["null", "string"]},
         "gender": {"type": "string"},
         "igoId": {"type": "string"},
         "requestMetadata": {