diff --git a/src/validate.lua b/src/validate.lua
index e5547e8..c868700 100644
--- a/src/validate.lua
+++ b/src/validate.lua
@@ -127,6 +127,10 @@ M.assert_valid_pattern = function(what, pat)
    end
 end
 
+M.validate_plot_ticks_y = function(what, x)
+   M.assert_greater_than(what..'.plot.ticks_y', x, 2)
+end
+
 -- TODO make spacing parameters aware of thickness, right now they start at the
 -- centry of lines, circles, etc.
 
@@ -138,15 +142,15 @@ end
 
 local validate_graphics = function(x)
    M.assert_file_readable('graphics.dev_power', x.dev_power)
-   M.assert_greater_than('graphics.genometry.plot.ticks_y', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y, 2)
+   M.validate_plot_ticks_y('graphics.geometry', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y)
 end
 
 local validate_memory = function(x)
-   M.assert_greater_than('memory.genometry.plot.ticks_y', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y, 2)
+   M.validate_plot_ticks_y('memory.geometry', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y)
 end
 
 local validate_network = function(x)
-   M.assert_greater_than('network.genometry.plot.ticks_y', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y, 2)
+   M.validate_plot_ticks_y('network.geometry', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y)
 end
 
 local validate_pacman = function(_)
@@ -171,7 +175,7 @@ local validate_processor = function(x)
 end
 
 local validate_readwrite = function(x)
-   M.assert_greater_than('readwrite.genometry.plot.ticks_y', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y, 2)
+   M.validate_plot_ticks_y('readwrite.geometry', x.geometry.plot.ticks_y)
 end
 
 local validate_system = function(_)