diff --git a/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/cluster/coordination/JoinHelper.java b/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/cluster/coordination/JoinHelper.java
index 08cfea1abf270..114051311ab97 100644
--- a/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/cluster/coordination/JoinHelper.java
+++ b/server/src/main/java/org/opensearch/cluster/coordination/JoinHelper.java
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ public String executor() {
     }
 
     public void sendValidateJoinRequest(DiscoveryNode node, ClusterState state, ActionListener<TransportResponse.Empty> listener) {
-        if (node.getVersion().before(Version.V_3_0_0)) {
+        if (node.getVersion().before(Version.V_2_9_0)) {
             transportService.sendRequest(
                 node,
                 VALIDATE_JOIN_ACTION_NAME,