diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
index c7c78fbc1..300aed091 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
@@ -3350,16 +3350,20 @@ exit:
 
 void Mle::HandleChildUpdateRequest(RxInfo &aRxInfo)
 {
+    VerifyOrExit(IsAttached());
+
 #if OPENTHREAD_FTD
     if (IsRouterOrLeader())
     {
         HandleChildUpdateRequestOnParent(aRxInfo);
+        ExitNow();
     }
-    else
 #endif
-    {
-        HandleChildUpdateRequestOnChild(aRxInfo);
-    }
+
+    HandleChildUpdateRequestOnChild(aRxInfo);
+
+exit:
+    return;
 }
 
 void Mle::HandleChildUpdateRequestOnChild(RxInfo &aRxInfo)