diff --git a/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c b/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c
index 44699579b4..57d05fb5c4 100644
--- a/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c
+++ b/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c
@@ -221,8 +221,9 @@ int gnrc_ipv6_nib_get_next_hop_l2addr(const ipv6_addr_t *dst,
         unsigned iface = (node == NULL) ? 0 : _nib_onl_get_if(node);
 
         if ((node != NULL) || _on_link(dst, &iface)) {
-            DEBUG("nib: %s is on-link or in NC, start address resolution\n",
-                  ipv6_addr_to_str(addr_str, dst, sizeof(addr_str)));
+            DEBUG("nib: %s is %s, start address resolution\n",
+                  ipv6_addr_to_str(addr_str, dst, sizeof(addr_str)),
+                  node ? "in NC" : "on-link");
             /* on-link prefixes return their interface */
             if (!ipv6_addr_is_link_local(dst) && (iface != 0)) {
                 /* release pre-assumed netif */