diff --git a/src/htmx.js b/src/htmx.js
index d80ccd7e..a7ded6f8 100644
--- a/src/htmx.js
+++ b/src/htmx.js
@@ -1665,7 +1665,7 @@ return (function () {
             var errors = [];
 
             // only validate when form is directly submitted and novalidate is not set
-            var validate = (matches(elt, 'form') || closest(elt, 'form')) && elt.noValidate !== true;
+            var validate = matches(elt, 'form') && elt.noValidate !== true;
 
             // for a non-GET include the closest form
             if (verb !== 'get') {