diff --git a/combadge/support/http/abc.py b/combadge/support/http/abc.py
index 6644cd4..db87976 100644
--- a/combadge/support/http/abc.py
+++ b/combadge/support/http/abc.py
@@ -82,12 +82,6 @@ def ensure_payload(self) -> dict:
             self.payload = {}
         return self.payload
 
-    def get_payload(self) -> dict:
-        """Get a validated request payload."""
-        if (payload := self.payload) is None:
-            raise ValueError("a request requires a non-empty payload")
-        return payload
-
 
 class SupportsStatusCode(Protocol):
     """Supports a read-only status code attribute or property."""
diff --git a/combadge/support/zeep/backends/async_.py b/combadge/support/zeep/backends/async_.py
index 35593f3..5b3cf25 100644
--- a/combadge/support/zeep/backends/async_.py
+++ b/combadge/support/zeep/backends/async_.py
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ async def bound_method(self: BaseBoundService[ZeepBackend], *args: Any, **kwargs
             operation = backend._get_operation(request.get_operation_name())
             try:
                 async with self.backend._request_with(request):
-                    response = await operation(**request.get_payload())
+                    response = await operation(**(request.payload or {}))
             except Fault as e:
                 return backend._parse_soap_fault(e, fault_type)
             else:
diff --git a/combadge/support/zeep/backends/sync.py b/combadge/support/zeep/backends/sync.py
index a2ed257..9a23db2 100644
--- a/combadge/support/zeep/backends/sync.py
+++ b/combadge/support/zeep/backends/sync.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def bound_method(self: BaseBoundService[ZeepBackend], *args: Any, **kwargs: Any)
             operation = backend._get_operation(request.get_operation_name())
             try:
                 with self.backend._request_with(request):
-                    response = operation(**request.get_payload())
+                    response = operation(**(request.payload or {}))
             except Fault as e:
                 return backend._parse_soap_fault(e, fault_type)
             else: