diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/joiner_router.cpp b/src/core/meshcop/joiner_router.cpp
index bc9214c02..27a2bfaa9 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/joiner_router.cpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/joiner_router.cpp
@@ -357,7 +357,8 @@ otError JoinerRouter::DelaySendingJoinerEntrust(const Ip6::MessageInfo &aMessage
     messageInfo.SetPeerPort(kCoapUdpPort);
 
     delayedMessage = DelayedJoinEntHeader(TimerMilli::GetNow() + kDelayJoinEnt, messageInfo, aKek.GetKek());
-    SuccessOrExit(delayedMessage.AppendTo(*message));
+    SuccessOrExit(error = delayedMessage.AppendTo(*message));
+
     mDelayedJoinEnts.Enqueue(*message);
 
     if (!mTimer.IsRunning())