diff --git a/drivers/at86rf2xx/at86rf2xx.c b/drivers/at86rf2xx/at86rf2xx.c
index 85e39a2f3d..3b87934bd9 100644
--- a/drivers/at86rf2xx/at86rf2xx.c
+++ b/drivers/at86rf2xx/at86rf2xx.c
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ void at86rf2xx_reset(at86rf2xx_t *dev)
                         AT86RF2XX_IRQ_STATUS_MASK__TRX_END);
 
     /* enable TX start interrupt for retry counter */
-#ifdef AT86RF2XX_REG__IRQ_MASK1
+#if AT86RF2XX_HAVE_TX_START_IRQ
     at86rf2xx_reg_write(dev, AT86RF2XX_REG__IRQ_MASK1,
                              AT86RF2XX_IRQ_STATUS_MASK1__TX_START);
 #endif
diff --git a/drivers/include/at86rf2xx.h b/drivers/include/at86rf2xx.h
index 31e65f17bf..e790df1533 100644
--- a/drivers/include/at86rf2xx.h
+++ b/drivers/include/at86rf2xx.h
@@ -130,6 +130,15 @@ extern "C" {
 #define AT86RF2XX_HAVE_RETRIES             (0)
 #endif
 
+/**
+ * @brief   TX Start IRQ
+ */
+#ifdef AT86RF2XX_REG__IRQ_MASK1
+#define AT86RF2XX_HAVE_TX_START_IRQ        (1)
+#else
+#define AT86RF2XX_HAVE_TX_START_IRQ        (0)
+#endif
+
 /**
  * @brief   Random Number Generator
  *