diff --git a/src/graph/llm.rs b/src/graph/llm.rs
index 1e09b88..b433141 100644
--- a/src/graph/llm.rs
+++ b/src/graph/llm.rs
@@ -129,13 +129,7 @@ async fn run(
         }
     };
 
-    let node_has_enabled_skills = node
-        .enabled_skills
-        .as_deref()
-        .map(|s| !s.is_empty())
-        .unwrap_or(false);
-
-    if policy.skills_enabled && node_has_enabled_skills {
+    if policy.skills_enabled {
         let mut tools = role.enabled_tools().map(|v| v.to_vec()).unwrap_or_default();
         for decl in skill_function_declarations() {
             if !tools.contains(&decl.name) {
diff --git a/src/graph/validator.rs b/src/graph/validator.rs
index 1de32b8..4580a98 100644
--- a/src/graph/validator.rs
+++ b/src/graph/validator.rs
@@ -259,7 +259,9 @@ impl GraphValidator {
                     continue;
                 }
                 if let Err(e) = paths::validate_skill_name(name) {
-                    result.error(ValidationError::new(format!(
+                    result.error(ValidationError::with_node(
+                        node_id,
+                        format!(
                         "llm node 'enabled_skills' contains an invalid skill name: '{name}': {e}"
                     )));
                     continue;