diff --git a/guardrails/datatypes.py b/guardrails/datatypes.py
index 9bb7c670e..f0499932b 100644
--- a/guardrails/datatypes.py
+++ b/guardrails/datatypes.py
@@ -395,9 +395,11 @@ def collect_validation(
         schema: Dict,
     ) -> FieldValidation:
         # Validators in the main list data type are applied to the list overall.
-
         validation = self._constructor_validation(key, value)
 
+        if value is None and self.optional:
+            return validation
+
         if len(self._children) == 0:
             return validation
 
@@ -435,9 +437,11 @@ def collect_validation(
         schema: Dict,
     ) -> FieldValidation:
         # Validators in the main object data type are applied to the object overall.
-
         validation = self._constructor_validation(key, value)
 
+        if value is None and self.optional:
+            return validation
+
         if len(self._children) == 0:
             return validation