diff --git a/src/core/mac/sub_mac.cpp b/src/core/mac/sub_mac.cpp
index b6029352c..5f19197d9 100644
--- a/src/core/mac/sub_mac.cpp
+++ b/src/core/mac/sub_mac.cpp
@@ -286,9 +286,6 @@ void SubMac::BeginTransmit(void)
     error = Get<Radio>().Receive(mTransmitFrame.GetChannel());
     assert(error == OT_ERROR_NONE);
 
-    error = Get<Radio>().Transmit(mTransmitFrame);
-    assert(error == OT_ERROR_NONE);
-
     SetState(kStateTransmit);
 
     if (mPcapCallback)
@@ -296,6 +293,9 @@ void SubMac::BeginTransmit(void)
         mPcapCallback(&mTransmitFrame, true, mPcapCallbackContext);
     }
 
+    error = Get<Radio>().Transmit(mTransmitFrame);
+    assert(error == OT_ERROR_NONE);
+
 exit:
     return;
 }