I've solved this issue this way: function hook_entity_base_field_info_alter(&$fields, EntityTypeInterface $entity_type) { if ($entity_type->id() == 'contact_message') { if (isset($fields['message']) && $fields['message'] instanceof BaseFieldDefinition) { /* @var BaseFieldDefinition $data */ $data = &$fields['message']; $data->setRequired(FALSE); } } }