diff --git a/aea/configurations/validation.py b/aea/configurations/validation.py
index 568194e311..aff4217080 100644
--- a/aea/configurations/validation.py
+++ b/aea/configurations/validation.py
@@ -295,10 +295,10 @@ def validate_data_with_pattern(
         excludes_: List[Tuple[str]] = []
     else:
         excludes_ = excludes
-    pattern_path_value = {
+    original_config = {
         tuple(path): value for path, value in dict_to_path_value(pattern)
     }
-    data_path_value = {tuple(path): value for path, value in dict_to_path_value(data)}
+    overrides = {tuple(path): value for path, value in dict_to_path_value(data)}
     errors = []
 
     def check_excludes(path: Tuple[str, ...]) -> bool:
@@ -315,17 +315,17 @@ def is_a_dict_override(path: Tuple[str, ...]) -> bool:
         flag = False
         while len(path) > 0:
             path = path[:-1]
-            if path in pattern_path_value:
-                pattern_value = pattern_path_value[path]
+            if path in original_config:
+                pattern_value = original_config[path]
                 flag = isinstance(pattern_value, OrderedDict)
                 break
         return flag
 
-    for path, new_value in data_path_value.items():
+    for path, new_value in overrides.items():
         if check_excludes(path):
             continue
 
-        if path not in pattern_path_value:
+        if path not in original_config:
             if not is_a_dict_override(path=(*path,)):
                 errors.append(
                     f"Attribute `{'.'.join(path)}` is not allowed to be updated!"
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ def is_a_dict_override(path: Tuple[str, ...]) -> bool:
 
             continue
 
-        pattern_value = pattern_path_value[path]
+        pattern_value = original_config[path]
 
         if pattern_value is None:
             # not possible to determine data type for optional value not set