diff --git a/litecord/gateway/websocket.py b/litecord/gateway/websocket.py
index 560f207..05376f3 100644
--- a/litecord/gateway/websocket.py
+++ b/litecord/gateway/websocket.py
@@ -664,8 +664,11 @@ class GatewayWebsocket:
 
     async def handle_2(self, payload: Dict[str, Any]):
         """Handle the OP 2 Identify packet."""
+        # do not validate given guild_hashes
         payload_copy = dict(payload)
-        payload_copy["d"].get("client_state", {}).pop("guild_hashes")
+        payload_copy["d"].get("client_state", {"guild_hashes": None}).pop(
+            "guild_hashes"
+        )
         validate(payload_copy, IDENTIFY_SCHEMA)
         data = payload["d"]
         token = data["token"]