diff --git a/net/mac802154/rx.c b/net/mac802154/rx.c
index b8ce84618a55..0e62476c2414 100644
--- a/net/mac802154/rx.c
+++ b/net/mac802154/rx.c
@@ -209,8 +209,9 @@ __ieee802154_rx_handle_packet(struct ieee802154_local *local,
 		if (!ieee802154_sdata_running(sdata))
 			continue;
 
-		ieee802154_subif_frame(sdata, skb, &hdr);
-		skb = NULL;
+		ret = ieee802154_subif_frame(sdata, skb, &hdr);
+		if (ret)
+			skb = NULL;
 		break;
 	}