diff --git a/sys/include/net/gnrc/rpl/dodag.h b/sys/include/net/gnrc/rpl/dodag.h
index 69a209fbd7..06d97426a0 100644
--- a/sys/include/net/gnrc/rpl/dodag.h
+++ b/sys/include/net/gnrc/rpl/dodag.h
@@ -80,11 +80,8 @@ bool gnrc_rpl_instance_remove_by_id(uint8_t instance_id);
  * @brief   Remove a RPL instance with the pointer @p inst.
  *
  * @param[in] inst     Pointer to the RPL instance to remove.
- *
- * @return  true, on success.
- * @return  false, otherwise.
  */
-bool gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(gnrc_rpl_instance_t *inst);
+void gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(gnrc_rpl_instance_t *inst);
 
 /**
  * @brief   Get the RPL instance with the id @p instance_id.
diff --git a/sys/net/gnrc/routing/rpl/gnrc_rpl_dodag.c b/sys/net/gnrc/routing/rpl/gnrc_rpl_dodag.c
index 8734b72184..56655157af 100644
--- a/sys/net/gnrc/routing/rpl/gnrc_rpl_dodag.c
+++ b/sys/net/gnrc/routing/rpl/gnrc_rpl_dodag.c
@@ -115,13 +115,14 @@ bool gnrc_rpl_instance_remove_by_id(uint8_t instance_id)
 {
     for(uint8_t i = 0; i < GNRC_RPL_INSTANCES_NUMOF; ++i) {
         if (gnrc_rpl_instances[i].id == instance_id) {
-            return gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(&gnrc_rpl_instances[i]);
+            gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(&gnrc_rpl_instances[i]);
+            return true;
         }
     }
     return false;
 }
 
-bool gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(gnrc_rpl_instance_t *inst)
+void gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(gnrc_rpl_instance_t *inst)
 {
     gnrc_rpl_dodag_t *dodag = &inst->dodag;
 #ifdef MODULE_GNRC_RPL_P2P
@@ -132,7 +133,6 @@ bool gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(gnrc_rpl_instance_t *inst)
     evtimer_del(&gnrc_rpl_evtimer, (evtimer_event_t *)&dodag->dao_event);
     evtimer_del(&gnrc_rpl_evtimer, (evtimer_event_t *)&inst->cleanup_event);
     memset(inst, 0, sizeof(gnrc_rpl_instance_t));
-    return true;
 }
 
 gnrc_rpl_instance_t *gnrc_rpl_instance_get(uint8_t instance_id)
diff --git a/sys/shell/cmds/gnrc_rpl.c b/sys/shell/cmds/gnrc_rpl.c
index a4707f68bb..e3fa12d802 100644
--- a/sys/shell/cmds/gnrc_rpl.c
+++ b/sys/shell/cmds/gnrc_rpl.c
@@ -106,10 +106,7 @@ int _gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(char *arg1)
         return 1;
     }
 
-    if (gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(inst) == false) {
-        printf("error: could not remove instance (%d)\n", instance_id);
-        return 1;
-    }
+    gnrc_rpl_instance_remove(inst);
 
     printf("success: removed instance (%d)\n", instance_id);
     return 0;