diff --git a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
index fdd1309c3..b5035cef6 100644
--- a/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
+++ b/src/core/thread/mle.cpp
@@ -1286,8 +1286,7 @@ void Mle::HandleParentRequestTimer(void)
         break;
 
     case kParentSynchronize:
-        mParentRequestState = kParentIdle;
-        BecomeChild(kAttachAny);
+        SendChildUpdateRequest();
         break;
 
     case kParentRequestStart: