diff --git a/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp b/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp
index a0b02f507..081acb2c6 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp
@@ -1582,10 +1582,8 @@ void MeshForwarder::AppendHeaderIe(const Message *aMessage, Mac::TxFrame &aFrame
 {
     uint8_t index     = 0;
     bool    iePresent = false;
-    // MIC is a part of Data Payload, so if it's present, Data Payload is not empty even if the message is
-    // MIC is always present when the frame is secured
-    bool payloadPresent = (aFrame.GetType() == Mac::Frame::kFcfFrameMacCmd) ||
-                          (aMessage != nullptr && aMessage->GetLength() != 0) || aFrame.GetSecurityEnabled();
+    bool    payloadPresent =
+        (aFrame.GetType() == Mac::Frame::kFcfFrameMacCmd) || (aMessage != nullptr && aMessage->GetLength() != 0);
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_TIME_SYNC_ENABLE
     if (aMessage != nullptr && aMessage->IsTimeSync())