diff --git a/core/net/llsec/llsec802154.h b/core/net/llsec/llsec802154.h
index b8eb93121..5d81d9cb4 100644
--- a/core/net/llsec/llsec802154.h
+++ b/core/net/llsec/llsec802154.h
@@ -62,7 +62,16 @@
 #define LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL     FRAME802154_SECURITY_LEVEL_NONE
 #endif /* LLSEC802154_CONF_SECURITY_LEVEL */
 
-#define LLSEC802154_MIC_LENGTH         ((LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL & 3) * 4)
+#if ((LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL < 0) || (LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL > 7))
+#error "unsupported security level"
+#endif
+
+#define LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL_MIC (LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL & 3)
+#if LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL_MIC
+#define LLSEC802154_MIC_LENGTH         (2 << LLSEC802154_SECURITY_LEVEL_MIC)
+#else
+#define LLSEC802154_MIC_LENGTH         0
+#endif
 
 #ifdef LLSEC802154_CONF_USES_ENCRYPTION
 #define LLSEC802154_USES_ENCRYPTION    LLSEC802154_CONF_USES_ENCRYPTION