diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d547964..949aadb 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   </description>
 
   <properties>
-    <maven.compiler.release>25</maven.compiler.release>
+    <maven.compiler.release>21</maven.compiler.release>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
     <javasteam.version>1.8.0</javasteam.version>
   </properties>
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
         <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
         <version>3.13.0</version>
         <configuration>
-          <release>25</release>
+          <release>21</release>
         </configuration>
       </plugin>
       <plugin>
diff --git a/src/main/java/in/dragonbra/javasteam/util/crypto/CryptoHelper.java b/src/main/java/in/dragonbra/javasteam/util/crypto/CryptoHelper.java
index 28864b5..7f8dc8f 100644
--- a/src/main/java/in/dragonbra/javasteam/util/crypto/CryptoHelper.java
+++ b/src/main/java/in/dragonbra/javasteam/util/crypto/CryptoHelper.java
@@ -109,10 +109,10 @@ public static byte[] symmetricDecrypt(byte[] input, byte[] key, Passable<byte[]>
         if (key == null) {
             throw new IllegalArgumentException("key is null");
         }
+        if (key.length != 32) {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("SymmetricDecrypt used with non 32 byte key!");
+        }
         try {
-            if (key.length != 32) {
-                logger.debug("SymmetricDecrypt used with non 32 byte key!");
-            }
             // Step 1: the first 16 bytes are the IV, itself AES/ECB-encrypted with the key.
             Cipher cipher = Cipher.getInstance("AES/ECB/NoPadding");
             byte[] cryptedIv = Arrays.copyOfRange(input, 0, 16);