diff --git a/clients/emacs/bbj.el b/clients/emacs/bbj.el
index ee6572c..2485421 100644
--- a/clients/emacs/bbj.el
+++ b/clients/emacs/bbj.el
@@ -158,11 +158,9 @@ is the only thing returned (not the usermap or error field)"
 passed to the server to check it for validity before the
 user is allowed to continue. Will recurse until the input
 is valid, then it is returned."
-  (let (response value)
-    (setq value (read-from-minibuffer prompt)
-          response (bbj-request! 'db_sanity_check
-                     'value value
-                     'key key))
+  (let* ((value (read-from-minibuffer prompt))
+         (response (bbj-request! 'db_sanity_check
+                     'value value 'key key)))
     (if (alist-get 'bool response)
         value
       (message (alist-get 'description response))
diff --git a/documentation/VALIDATION.md b/documentation/VALIDATION.md
index 6c1de78..920171e 100644
--- a/documentation/VALIDATION.md
+++ b/documentation/VALIDATION.md
@@ -84,11 +84,9 @@ for rejection is displayed clearly to the user and input window is restored.
 passed to the server to check it for validity before the
 user is allowed to continue. Will recurse until the input
 is valid, then it is returned."
-  (let (response value)
-    (setq value (read-from-minibuffer prompt)
-          response (bbj-request! 'db_sanity_check
-                     'value value
-                     'key key))
+  (let* ((value (read-from-minibuffer prompt))
+         (response (bbj-request! 'db_sanity_check
+                     'value value 'key key)))
     (if (alist-get 'bool response)
         value
       (message (alist-get 'description response))