diff --git a/src/core/config/mle.h b/src/core/config/mle.h
index 431b7e797..490fcdcab 100644
--- a/src/core/config/mle.h
+++ b/src/core/config/mle.h
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@
  *
  */
 #ifndef OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_INFORM_PREVIOUS_PARENT_ON_REATTACH
-#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_INFORM_PREVIOUS_PARENT_ON_REATTACH 0
+#define OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MLE_INFORM_PREVIOUS_PARENT_ON_REATTACH 1
 #endif
 
 /**