diff --git a/pkg/network/message.go b/pkg/network/message.go
index 3b73a5422..c8bf606ae 100644
--- a/pkg/network/message.go
+++ b/pkg/network/message.go
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func (m *Message) tryCompressPayload() error {
 	compressedPayload := buf.Bytes()
 	if m.Flags&Compressed == 0 {
 		switch m.Payload.(type) {
-		case *payload.Headers, *payload.MerkleBlock, *payload.NullPayload,
+		case *payload.Headers, *payload.MerkleBlock, payload.NullPayload,
 			*payload.Inventory:
 			break
 		default:
diff --git a/pkg/network/server.go b/pkg/network/server.go
index e4721f1e0..caf464b56 100644
--- a/pkg/network/server.go
+++ b/pkg/network/server.go
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleVersionCmd(p Peer, version *payload.Version) error {
 		}
 	}
 	s.lock.RUnlock()
-	return p.SendVersionAck(NewMessage(CMDVerack, nil))
+	return p.SendVersionAck(NewMessage(CMDVerack, payload.NewNullPayload()))
 }
 
 // handleBlockCmd processes the received block received from its peer.