diff --git a/pkg/network/message.go b/pkg/network/message.go
index 69995ab92..46eaa91f6 100644
--- a/pkg/network/message.go
+++ b/pkg/network/message.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package network
 import (
 	"fmt"
 
-	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/consensus"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/core/block"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/core/transaction"
@@ -15,9 +14,6 @@ import (
 
 // Message is the complete message send between nodes.
 type Message struct {
-	// NetMode of the node that sends this message.
-	Magic config.NetMode
-
 	// Command is byte command code.
 	Command CommandType
 
@@ -67,7 +63,7 @@ const (
 )
 
 // NewMessage returns a new message with the given payload.
-func NewMessage(magic config.NetMode, cmd CommandType, p payload.Payload) *Message {
+func NewMessage(cmd CommandType, p payload.Payload) *Message {
 	var (
 		size uint32
 	)
@@ -83,7 +79,6 @@ func NewMessage(magic config.NetMode, cmd CommandType, p payload.Payload) *Messa
 	}
 
 	return &Message{
-		Magic:   magic,
 		Command: cmd,
 		Length:  size,
 		Payload: p,
@@ -92,7 +87,6 @@ func NewMessage(magic config.NetMode, cmd CommandType, p payload.Payload) *Messa
 
 // Decode decodes a Message from the given reader.
 func (m *Message) Decode(br *io.BinReader) error {
-	m.Magic = config.NetMode(br.ReadU32LE())
 	m.Command = CommandType(br.ReadB())
 	m.Length = br.ReadU32LE()
 	if br.Err != nil {
@@ -150,7 +144,6 @@ func (m *Message) decodePayload(br *io.BinReader) error {
 
 // Encode encodes a Message to any given BinWriter.
 func (m *Message) Encode(br *io.BinWriter) error {
-	br.WriteU32LE(uint32(m.Magic))
 	br.WriteB(byte(m.Command))
 	br.WriteU32LE(m.Length)
 	if m.Payload != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/network/payload/version.go b/pkg/network/payload/version.go
index 3bb6bc345..86be2b80c 100644
--- a/pkg/network/payload/version.go
+++ b/pkg/network/payload/version.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package payload
 import (
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/io"
 )
 
@@ -21,6 +22,8 @@ const (
 
 // Version payload.
 type Version struct {
+	// NetMode of the node
+	Magic config.NetMode
 	// currently the version of the protocol is 0
 	Version uint32
 	// currently 1
@@ -40,8 +43,9 @@ type Version struct {
 }
 
 // NewVersion returns a pointer to a Version payload.
-func NewVersion(id uint32, p uint16, ua string, h uint32, r bool) *Version {
+func NewVersion(magic config.NetMode, id uint32, p uint16, ua string, h uint32, r bool) *Version {
 	return &Version{
+		Magic:       magic,
 		Version:     0,
 		Services:    nodePeerService,
 		Timestamp:   uint32(time.Now().UTC().Unix()),
@@ -55,6 +59,7 @@ func NewVersion(id uint32, p uint16, ua string, h uint32, r bool) *Version {
 
 // DecodeBinary implements Serializable interface.
 func (p *Version) DecodeBinary(br *io.BinReader) {
+	p.Magic = config.NetMode(br.ReadU32LE())
 	p.Version = br.ReadU32LE()
 	p.Services = br.ReadU64LE()
 	p.Timestamp = br.ReadU32LE()
@@ -67,6 +72,7 @@ func (p *Version) DecodeBinary(br *io.BinReader) {
 
 // EncodeBinary implements Serializable interface.
 func (p *Version) EncodeBinary(br *io.BinWriter) {
+	br.WriteU32LE(uint32(p.Magic))
 	br.WriteU32LE(p.Version)
 	br.WriteU64LE(p.Services)
 	br.WriteU32LE(p.Timestamp)
diff --git a/pkg/network/payload/version_test.go b/pkg/network/payload/version_test.go
index 1f44a6d7b..c8c8ccad6 100644
--- a/pkg/network/payload/version_test.go
+++ b/pkg/network/payload/version_test.go
@@ -3,18 +3,20 @@ package payload
 import (
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/config"
 	"github.com/nspcc-dev/neo-go/pkg/internal/testserdes"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
 func TestVersionEncodeDecode(t *testing.T) {
+	var magic config.NetMode = 56753
 	var port uint16 = 3000
 	var id uint32 = 13337
 	useragent := "/NEO:0.0.1/"
 	var height uint32 = 100500
 	var relay = true
 
-	version := NewVersion(id, port, useragent, height, relay)
+	version := NewVersion(magic, id, port, useragent, height, relay)
 	versionDecoded := &Version{}
 	testserdes.EncodeDecodeBinary(t, version, versionDecoded)
 
diff --git a/pkg/network/server.go b/pkg/network/server.go
index 81e49d7b8..ff99d3d9a 100644
--- a/pkg/network/server.go
+++ b/pkg/network/server.go
@@ -157,12 +157,6 @@ func NewServer(config ServerConfig, chain blockchainer.Blockchainer, log *zap.Lo
 	return s, nil
 }
 
-// MkMsg creates a new message based on the server configured network and given
-// parameters.
-func (s *Server) MkMsg(cmd CommandType, p payload.Payload) *Message {
-	return NewMessage(s.Net, cmd, p)
-}
-
 // ID returns the servers ID.
 func (s *Server) ID() uint32 {
 	return s.id
@@ -230,7 +224,7 @@ func (s *Server) run() {
 			s.discovery.RequestRemote(s.AttemptConnPeers)
 		}
 		if s.discovery.PoolCount() < minPoolCount {
-			s.broadcastHPMessage(s.MkMsg(CMDGetAddr, payload.NewNullPayload()))
+			s.broadcastHPMessage(NewMessage(CMDGetAddr, payload.NewNullPayload()))
 		}
 		select {
 		case <-s.quit:
@@ -292,7 +286,7 @@ func (s *Server) runProto() {
 			if s.chain.BlockHeight() == prevHeight {
 				// Get a copy of s.peers to avoid holding a lock while sending.
 				for peer := range s.Peers() {
-					_ = peer.SendPing(s.MkMsg(CMDPing, payload.NewPing(s.id, s.chain.HeaderHeight())))
+					_ = peer.SendPing(NewMessage(CMDPing, payload.NewPing(s.id, s.chain.HeaderHeight())))
 				}
 			}
 			pingTimer.Reset(s.PingInterval)
@@ -354,13 +348,14 @@ func (s *Server) HandshakedPeersCount() int {
 // getVersionMsg returns current version message.
 func (s *Server) getVersionMsg() *Message {
 	payload := payload.NewVersion(
+		s.Net,
 		s.id,
 		s.Port,
 		s.UserAgent,
 		s.chain.BlockHeight(),
 		s.Relay,
 	)
-	return s.MkMsg(CMDVersion, payload)
+	return NewMessage(CMDVersion, payload)
 }
 
 // IsInSync answers the question of whether the server is in sync with the
@@ -406,6 +401,11 @@ func (s *Server) handleVersionCmd(p Peer, version *payload.Version) error {
 	if s.id == version.Nonce {
 		return errIdenticalID
 	}
+	// Make sure both server and peer are operating on
+	// the same network.
+	if s.Net != version.Magic {
+		return errInvalidNetwork
+	}
 	peerAddr := p.PeerAddr().String()
 	s.discovery.RegisterConnectedAddr(peerAddr)
 	s.lock.RLock()
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleVersionCmd(p Peer, version *payload.Version) error {
 		}
 	}
 	s.lock.RUnlock()
-	return p.SendVersionAck(s.MkMsg(CMDVerack, nil))
+	return p.SendVersionAck(NewMessage(CMDVerack, nil))
 }
 
 // handleHeadersCmd processes the headers received from its peer.
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleBlockCmd(p Peer, block *block.Block) error {
 
 // handlePing processes ping request.
 func (s *Server) handlePing(p Peer, ping *payload.Ping) error {
-	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(s.MkMsg(CMDPong, payload.NewPing(s.chain.BlockHeight(), s.id)))
+	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(NewMessage(CMDPong, payload.NewPing(s.chain.BlockHeight(), s.id)))
 }
 
 // handlePing processes pong request.
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleInvCmd(p Peer, inv *payload.Inventory) error {
 		}
 	}
 	if len(reqHashes) > 0 {
-		msg := s.MkMsg(CMDGetData, payload.NewInventory(inv.Type, reqHashes))
+		msg := NewMessage(CMDGetData, payload.NewInventory(inv.Type, reqHashes))
 		pkt, err := msg.Bytes()
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -504,16 +504,16 @@ func (s *Server) handleGetDataCmd(p Peer, inv *payload.Inventory) error {
 		case payload.TXType:
 			tx, _, err := s.chain.GetTransaction(hash)
 			if err == nil {
-				msg = s.MkMsg(CMDTX, tx)
+				msg = NewMessage(CMDTX, tx)
 			}
 		case payload.BlockType:
 			b, err := s.chain.GetBlock(hash)
 			if err == nil {
-				msg = s.MkMsg(CMDBlock, b)
+				msg = NewMessage(CMDBlock, b)
 			}
 		case payload.ConsensusType:
 			if cp := s.consensus.GetPayload(hash); cp != nil {
-				msg = s.MkMsg(CMDConsensus, cp)
+				msg = NewMessage(CMDConsensus, cp)
 			}
 		}
 		if msg != nil {
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGetBlocksCmd(p Peer, gb *payload.GetBlocks) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 	payload := payload.NewInventory(payload.BlockType, blockHashes)
-	msg := s.MkMsg(CMDInv, payload)
+	msg := NewMessage(CMDInv, payload)
 	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(msg)
 }
 
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGetHeadersCmd(p Peer, gh *payload.GetBlocks) error {
 	if len(resp.Hdrs) == 0 {
 		return nil
 	}
-	msg := s.MkMsg(CMDHeaders, &resp)
+	msg := NewMessage(CMDHeaders, &resp)
 	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(msg)
 }
 
@@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGetAddrCmd(p Peer) error {
 		netaddr, _ := net.ResolveTCPAddr("tcp", addr)
 		alist.Addrs[i] = payload.NewAddressAndTime(netaddr, ts)
 	}
-	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(s.MkMsg(CMDAddr, alist))
+	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(NewMessage(CMDAddr, alist))
 }
 
 // requestHeaders sends a getheaders message to the peer.
@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleGetAddrCmd(p Peer) error {
 func (s *Server) requestHeaders(p Peer) error {
 	start := []util.Uint256{s.chain.CurrentHeaderHash()}
 	payload := payload.NewGetBlocks(start, util.Uint256{})
-	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(s.MkMsg(CMDGetHeaders, payload))
+	return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(NewMessage(CMDGetHeaders, payload))
 }
 
 // requestBlocks sends a getdata message to the peer
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ func (s *Server) requestBlocks(p Peer) error {
 	}
 	if len(hashes) > 0 {
 		payload := payload.NewInventory(payload.BlockType, hashes)
-		return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(s.MkMsg(CMDGetData, payload))
+		return p.EnqueueP2PMessage(NewMessage(CMDGetData, payload))
 	} else if s.chain.HeaderHeight() < p.LastBlockIndex() {
 		return s.requestHeaders(p)
 	}
@@ -673,12 +673,6 @@ func (s *Server) handleMessage(peer Peer, msg *Message) error {
 		zap.Stringer("addr", peer.RemoteAddr()),
 		zap.String("type", msg.Command.String()))
 
-	// Make sure both server and peer are operating on
-	// the same network.
-	if msg.Magic != s.Net {
-		return errInvalidNetwork
-	}
-
 	if peer.Handshaked() {
 		if inv, ok := msg.Payload.(*payload.Inventory); ok {
 			if !inv.Type.Valid() || len(inv.Hashes) == 0 {
@@ -746,7 +740,7 @@ func (s *Server) handleMessage(peer Peer, msg *Message) error {
 }
 
 func (s *Server) handleNewPayload(p *consensus.Payload) {
-	msg := s.MkMsg(CMDInv, payload.NewInventory(payload.ConsensusType, []util.Uint256{p.Hash()}))
+	msg := NewMessage(CMDInv, payload.NewInventory(payload.ConsensusType, []util.Uint256{p.Hash()}))
 	// It's high priority because it directly affects consensus process,
 	// even though it's just an inv.
 	s.broadcastHPMessage(msg)
@@ -757,7 +751,7 @@ func (s *Server) requestTx(hashes ...util.Uint256) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	msg := s.MkMsg(CMDGetData, payload.NewInventory(payload.TXType, hashes))
+	msg := NewMessage(CMDGetData, payload.NewInventory(payload.TXType, hashes))
 	// It's high priority because it directly affects consensus process,
 	// even though it's getdata.
 	s.broadcastHPMessage(msg)
@@ -793,7 +787,7 @@ func (s *Server) broadcastHPMessage(msg *Message) {
 
 // relayBlock tells all the other connected nodes about the given block.
 func (s *Server) relayBlock(b *block.Block) {
-	msg := s.MkMsg(CMDInv, payload.NewInventory(payload.BlockType, []util.Uint256{b.Hash()}))
+	msg := NewMessage(CMDInv, payload.NewInventory(payload.BlockType, []util.Uint256{b.Hash()}))
 	// Filter out nodes that are more current (avoid spamming the network
 	// during initial sync).
 	s.iteratePeersWithSendMsg(msg, Peer.EnqueuePacket, func(p Peer) bool {
@@ -837,7 +831,7 @@ func (s *Server) broadcastTX(t *transaction.Transaction) {
 }
 
 func (s *Server) broadcastTxHashes(hs []util.Uint256) {
-	msg := s.MkMsg(CMDInv, payload.NewInventory(payload.TXType, hs))
+	msg := NewMessage(CMDInv, payload.NewInventory(payload.TXType, hs))
 
 	// We need to filter out non-relaying nodes, so plain broadcast
 	// functions don't fit here.
diff --git a/pkg/network/server_test.go b/pkg/network/server_test.go
index a166c7773..19ed92b1d 100644
--- a/pkg/network/server_test.go
+++ b/pkg/network/server_test.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func TestVerackAfterHandleVersionCmd(t *testing.T) {
 	p.messageHandler = func(t *testing.T, msg *Message) {
 		assert.Equal(t, CMDVerack, msg.Command)
 	}
-	version := payload.NewVersion(1337, 3000, "/NEO-GO/", 0, true)
+	version := payload.NewVersion(0, 1337, 3000, "/NEO-GO/", 0, true)
 
 	require.NoError(t, s.handleVersionCmd(p, version))
 }
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ func TestServerNotSendsVerack(t *testing.T) {
 		p2 = newLocalPeer(t, s)
 	)
 	s.id = 1
+	s.Net = 56753
 	finished := make(chan struct{})
 	go func() {
 		s.run()
@@ -76,13 +77,20 @@ func TestServerNotSendsVerack(t *testing.T) {
 	s.register <- p
 
 	// identical id's
-	version := payload.NewVersion(1, 3000, "/NEO-GO/", 0, true)
+	version := payload.NewVersion(56753, 1, 3000, "/NEO-GO/", 0, true)
 	err := s.handleVersionCmd(p, version)
 	assert.NotNil(t, err)
 	assert.Equal(t, errIdenticalID, err)
 
-	// Different IDs, make handshake pass.
+	// Different IDs, but also different magics
 	version.Nonce = 2
+	version.Magic = 56752
+	err = s.handleVersionCmd(p, version)
+	assert.NotNil(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, errInvalidNetwork, err)
+
+	// Different IDs and same network, make handshake pass.
+	version.Magic = 56753
 	require.NoError(t, s.handleVersionCmd(p, version))
 	require.NoError(t, p.HandleVersionAck())
 	require.Equal(t, true, p.Handshaked())