diff --git a/src/core/thread/meshcop_dataset_manager.cpp b/src/core/thread/meshcop_dataset_manager.cpp
index be7240b1f..039012345 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/meshcop_dataset_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/meshcop_dataset_manager.cpp
@@ -265,8 +265,8 @@ void DatasetManager::HandleSet(Coap::Header &aHeader, Message &aMessage, const I
         }
 
         // verify the request does not include fields that affect connectivity
-        if (tlvType == Tlv::kChannel || tlvType == Tlv::kMeshLocalPrefix ||
-            tlvType == Tlv::kPanId || tlvType == Tlv::kNetworkMasterKey)
+        if ((type == Tlv::kActiveTimestamp) && (tlvType == Tlv::kChannel || tlvType == Tlv::kMeshLocalPrefix
+                                                || tlvType == Tlv::kPanId || tlvType == Tlv::kNetworkMasterKey))
         {
             ExitNow(state = StateTlv::kReject);
         }