diff --git a/src/core/mac/mac.hpp b/src/core/mac/mac.hpp
index 790823b73..7d7ca9083 100644
--- a/src/core/mac/mac.hpp
+++ b/src/core/mac/mac.hpp
@@ -134,6 +134,11 @@ public:
      */
     explicit Mac(Instance &aInstance);
 
+    /**
+     * Clears the Mode2Key on destruction.
+     */
+    ~Mac(void) { ClearMode2Key(); }
+
     /**
      * Starts an IEEE 802.15.4 Active Scan.
      *
diff --git a/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp b/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp
index d520d8162..f98793a7a 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp
@@ -691,7 +691,6 @@ void KeyManager::DestroyTemporaryKeys(void)
     mMleKey.Clear();
     mKek.Clear();
     Get<Mac::SubMac>().ClearMacKeys();
-    Get<Mac::Mac>().ClearMode2Key();
 }
 
 void KeyManager::DestroyPersistentKeys(void) { Get<Crypto::Storage::KeyRefManager>().DestroyPersistentKeys(); }