diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle_router.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle_router.cpp
index 8f57f1fe2..66a9f8e2d 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle_router.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle_router.cpp
@@ -441,7 +441,6 @@ otError MleRouter::SetStateRouter(uint16_t aRloc16)
     netif.GetIp6().SetForwardingEnabled(true);
     netif.GetIp6().GetMpl().SetTimerExpirations(kMplRouterDataMessageTimerExpirations);
     netif.GetMac().SetBeaconEnabled(true);
-    netif.GetAddressResolver().Clear();
 
     // clear router table
     for (int i = 0; i <= kMaxRouterId; i++)