diff --git a/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp b/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp
index 7ac5bfbdf..625c77431 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/key_manager.cpp
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ void KeyManager::SetCurrentKeySequence(uint32_t aKeySequence)
     mKeySequence = aKeySequence;
     UpdateKeyMaterial();
 
-    mMacFrameCounters.Reset();
+    SetAllMacFrameCounters(0);
     mMleFrameCounter = 0;
 
     Get<Notifier>().Signal(kEventThreadKeySeqCounterChanged);