diff --git a/src/core/net/ip6.cpp b/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
index 62c1732ca..a13c99df7 100644
--- a/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
+++ b/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
@@ -912,10 +912,10 @@ Error Ip6::HandleExtensionHeaders(Message &    aMessage,
             break;
 
         case kProtoFragment:
-            // Always forward IPv6 fragments to the Host.
+#if !OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_IP6_FRAGMENTATION_ENABLE
             IgnoreError(ProcessReceiveCallback(aMessage, aMessageInfo, aNextHeader, aFromHost,
                                                /* aAllowReceiveFilter */ false, Message::kCopyToUse));
-
+#endif
             SuccessOrExit(error = HandleFragment(aMessage, aNetif, aMessageInfo, aFromHost));
             break;