diff --git a/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp b/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp
index e6f4152b6..15545cbec 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mesh_forwarder.cpp
@@ -443,8 +443,8 @@ void MeshForwarder::ScheduleTransmissionTask(void)
 
     if ((mSendMessage = GetDirectTransmission()) != NULL)
     {
-        netif.GetMac().SendFrameRequest(mMacSender);
         mSendMessageMaxMacTxAttempts = Mac::kDirectFrameMacTxAttempts;
+        netif.GetMac().SendFrameRequest(mMacSender);
         ExitNow();
     }