diff --git a/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/rx_state_machine.c b/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/rx_state_machine.c
index 6d77f39d88..6e9234e7a4 100644
--- a/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/rx_state_machine.c
+++ b/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/rx_state_machine.c
@@ -183,9 +183,7 @@ static bool _send_wa(gnrc_netif_t *netif)
     /* Send WA */
     if (_gnrc_lwmac_transmit(netif, pkt) < 0) {
         LOG_ERROR("ERROR: [LWMAC-rx] Send WA failed.");
-        if (pkt != NULL) {
-            gnrc_pktbuf_release(pkt);
-        }
+        gnrc_pktbuf_release(pkt);
         gnrc_lwmac_set_quit_rx(netif, true);
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/tx_state_machine.c b/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/tx_state_machine.c
index 82d409d26c..9c18f5c099 100644
--- a/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/tx_state_machine.c
+++ b/sys/net/gnrc/link_layer/lwmac/tx_state_machine.c
@@ -217,9 +217,7 @@ static uint8_t _send_wr(gnrc_netif_t *netif)
     int res = _gnrc_lwmac_transmit(netif, pkt);
     if (res < 0) {
         LOG_ERROR("ERROR: [LWMAC-tx] Send WR failed.");
-        if (pkt != NULL) {
-            gnrc_pktbuf_release(pkt);
-        }
+        gnrc_pktbuf_release(pkt);
         tx_info |= GNRC_LWMAC_TX_FAIL;
         return tx_info;
     }