diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/dtls.cpp b/src/core/meshcop/dtls.cpp
index a5dc1074c..ab706a2ff 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/dtls.cpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/dtls.cpp
@@ -409,6 +409,7 @@ void Dtls::Process(void)
                 break;
 
             case MBEDTLS_ERR_SSL_FATAL_ALERT_MESSAGE:
+                mbedtls_ssl_close_notify(&mSsl);
                 ExitNow(shouldClose = true);
                 break;