diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
index 3dc359122..e5217ac0b 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
@@ -4121,6 +4121,8 @@ const char *Mle::MessageTypeToString(MessageType aType)
         break;
     case kTypeParentRequestToRouters:
     case kTypeParentRequestToRoutersReeds:
+        str = "Parent Request";
+        break;
     case kTypeParentResponse:
         str = "Parent Response";
         break;