diff --git a/src/core/net/ip6.cpp b/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
index 7ae11f4dd..79bc807f6 100644
--- a/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
+++ b/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ void Ip6::HandleSendQueue(void)
     }
 }
 
-otError Ip6::HandleOptions(Message &aMessage, Header &aHeader, bool &aForward, bool &aReceive)
+otError Ip6::HandleOptions(Message &aMessage, Header &aHeader, bool aForward, bool &aReceive)
 {
     otError        error = OT_ERROR_NONE;
     HopByHopHeader hbhHeader;
diff --git a/src/core/net/ip6.hpp b/src/core/net/ip6.hpp
index 858c0a4c1..0bbb8512a 100644
--- a/src/core/net/ip6.hpp
+++ b/src/core/net/ip6.hpp
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ private:
     otError AddTunneledMplOption(Message &aMessage, Header &aHeader, MessageInfo &aMessageInfo);
     otError InsertMplOption(Message &aMessage, Header &aHeader, MessageInfo &aMessageInfo);
     otError RemoveMplOption(Message &aMessage);
-    otError HandleOptions(Message &aMessage, Header &aHeader, bool &aForward, bool &aReceive);
+    otError HandleOptions(Message &aMessage, Header &aHeader, bool aForward, bool &aReceive);
     otError HandlePayload(Message &          aMessage,
                           MessageInfo &      aMessageInfo,
                           uint8_t            aIpProto,