Architect Set Variable node failing ServiceNow POST with 400

Why does this setting in the Set Variable node cause the subsequent outbound webhook to ServiceNow to fail? The JSON structure is valid but the payload contains a null value for the ticket_priority field.

{"error":"INVALID_INPUT","message":"Field 'priority' is required"}

The flow is simple: Collect Input → Set Variable → Outbound Webhook. The variable scope is session.