diff --git a/src/core/thread/data_poll_manager.cpp b/src/core/thread/data_poll_manager.cpp
index bcba9033c..892ee442a 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/data_poll_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/data_poll_manager.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ otError DataPollManager::StartPolling(void)
     otError error = OT_ERROR_NONE;
 
     VerifyOrExit(!mEnabled, error = OT_ERROR_ALREADY);
-    VerifyOrExit(!GetNetif().GetMle().IsFullThreadDevice(), error = OT_ERROR_INVALID_STATE);
+    VerifyOrExit(!GetNetif().GetMle().IsRxOnWhenIdle(), error = OT_ERROR_INVALID_STATE);
 
     mEnabled = true;
     ScheduleNextPoll(kRecalculatePollPeriod);