diff --git a/src/core/mac/mac.cpp b/src/core/mac/mac.cpp
index edb66c0a8..5d5eef24d 100644
--- a/src/core/mac/mac.cpp
+++ b/src/core/mac/mac.cpp
@@ -759,7 +759,7 @@ void Mac::HandleBeginTransmit(void)
             sendFrame.SetChannel(mChannel);
             SendBeacon(sendFrame);
             sendFrame.SetSequence(mBeaconSequence++);
-            sendFrame.SetMaxTxAttempts(kIndirectFrameMacTxAttempts);
+            sendFrame.SetMaxTxAttempts(kDirectFrameMacTxAttempts);
             break;
 
         case kStateTransmitData: