diff --git a/src/core/mac/mac.cpp b/src/core/mac/mac.cpp
index ca11ec31e..5ef871961 100644
--- a/src/core/mac/mac.cpp
+++ b/src/core/mac/mac.cpp
@@ -1603,6 +1603,7 @@ Error Mac::ProcessReceiveSecurity(RxFrame &aFrame, const Address &aSrcAddr, Neig
         {
             aNeighbor->SetKeySequence(keySequence);
             aNeighbor->SetMleFrameCounter(0);
+            aNeighbor->GetLinkFrameCounters().Reset();
         }
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_MULTI_RADIO