diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp b/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp
index 0ef145cce..6f8b05c2c 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/dataset.cpp
@@ -509,7 +509,14 @@ void Dataset::RemoveTlv(Tlv *aTlv)
     }
 }
 
-Error Dataset::ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool *aIsNetworkKeyUpdated) const
+Error Dataset::ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance) const
+{
+    bool isNetworkKeyUpdated;
+
+    return ApplyConfiguration(aInstance, isNetworkKeyUpdated);
+}
+
+Error Dataset::ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool &aIsNetworkKeyUpdated) const
 {
     Mac::Mac   &mac        = aInstance.Get<Mac::Mac>();
     KeyManager &keyManager = aInstance.Get<KeyManager>();
@@ -517,10 +524,7 @@ Error Dataset::ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool *aIsNetworkKeyUpdate
 
     VerifyOrExit(IsValid(), error = kErrorParse);
 
-    if (aIsNetworkKeyUpdated)
-    {
-        *aIsNetworkKeyUpdated = false;
-    }
+    aIsNetworkKeyUpdated = false;
 
     for (const Tlv *cur = GetTlvsStart(); cur < GetTlvsEnd(); cur = cur->GetNext())
     {
@@ -559,9 +563,9 @@ Error Dataset::ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool *aIsNetworkKeyUpdate
 
             keyManager.GetNetworkKey(networkKey);
 
-            if (aIsNetworkKeyUpdated && (cur->ReadValueAs<NetworkKeyTlv>() != networkKey))
+            if (cur->ReadValueAs<NetworkKeyTlv>() != networkKey)
             {
-                *aIsNetworkKeyUpdated = true;
+                aIsNetworkKeyUpdated = true;
             }
 
             keyManager.SetNetworkKey(cur->ReadValueAs<NetworkKeyTlv>());
@@ -569,11 +573,9 @@ Error Dataset::ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool *aIsNetworkKeyUpdate
         }
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_FTD
-
         case Tlv::kPskc:
             keyManager.SetPskc(cur->ReadValueAs<PskcTlv>());
             break;
-
 #endif
 
         case Tlv::kMeshLocalPrefix:
diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/dataset.hpp b/src/core/meshcop/dataset.hpp
index 5fbc7998e..38b2a0c1f 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/dataset.hpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/dataset.hpp
@@ -886,13 +886,24 @@ public:
      * Applies the Active or Pending Dataset to the Thread interface.
      *
      * @param[in]  aInstance            A reference to the OpenThread instance.
-     * @param[out] aIsNetworkKeyUpdated A pointer to where to place whether network key was updated.
      *
      * @retval kErrorNone   Successfully applied configuration.
      * @retval kErrorParse  The dataset has at least one TLV with invalid format.
      *
      */
-    Error ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool *aIsNetworkKeyUpdated = nullptr) const;
+    Error ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance) const;
+
+    /**
+     * Applies the Active or Pending Dataset to the Thread interface.
+     *
+     * @param[in]  aInstance              A reference to the OpenThread instance.
+     * @param[out] aIsNetworkKeyUpdated   Variable to return whether network key was updated.
+     *
+     * @retval kErrorNone   Successfully applied configuration, @p aIsNetworkKeyUpdated is changed.
+     * @retval kErrorParse  The dataset has at least one TLV with invalid format.
+     *
+     */
+    Error ApplyConfiguration(Instance &aInstance, bool &aIsNetworkKeyUpdated) const;
 
     /**
      * Converts a Pending Dataset to an Active Dataset.
diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/dataset_manager.cpp b/src/core/meshcop/dataset_manager.cpp
index 6c49a239a..48033acdf 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/dataset_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/dataset_manager.cpp
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ Error DatasetManager::Save(const Dataset &aDataset)
 
         if (IsActiveDataset())
         {
-            SuccessOrExit(error = aDataset.ApplyConfiguration(GetInstance(), &isNetworkKeyUpdated));
+            SuccessOrExit(error = aDataset.ApplyConfiguration(GetInstance(), isNetworkKeyUpdated));
         }
     }