diff --git a/core/src/main/java/net/kuujo/copycat/protocol/SyncRequest.java b/core/src/main/java/net/kuujo/copycat/protocol/SyncRequest.java
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/net/kuujo/copycat/protocol/SyncRequest.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/net/kuujo/copycat/protocol/SyncRequest.java
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ public class SyncRequest extends AbstractRequest {
      * @return The sync request builder.
      */
     public Builder withLeader(String leader) {
-      request.leader = Assert.isNotNull(leader, "leader");
+      request.leader = leader;
       return this;
     }
Allow null leaders in SyncRequest.