diff --git a/sys/net/sixlowpan/lowpan.c b/sys/net/sixlowpan/lowpan.c
index 5716645103..a54d567101 100644
--- a/sys/net/sixlowpan/lowpan.c
+++ b/sys/net/sixlowpan/lowpan.c
@@ -780,15 +780,14 @@ void lowpan_read(uint8_t *data, uint8_t length, ieee_802154_long_t *s_laddr,
     else {
         lowpan_reas_buf_t *current_buf = get_packet_frag_buf(length, 0, s_laddr,
                                          d_laddr);
-        if(current_buf != NULL)
-        {
+        if (current_buf && current_buf->packet) {
             /* Copy packet bytes into corresponding packet space area */
             memcpy(current_buf->packet, data, length);
             current_buf->current_packet_size += length;
             add_fifo_packet(current_buf);
-        }else
-        {
-            printf("ERROR: no memory left in packet buffer!\n");
+        }
+        else {
+            DEBUG("ERROR: no memory left in packet buffer!\n");
         }
         if (thread_getstatus(transfer_pid) == STATUS_SLEEPING) {
             thread_wakeup(transfer_pid);