diff --git a/net/mac802154/rx.c b/net/mac802154/rx.c
index 2851a3f7ac0b..c4df3210c5e6 100644
--- a/net/mac802154/rx.c
+++ b/net/mac802154/rx.c
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ mac802154_subif_rx(struct ieee802154_hw *hw, struct sk_buff *skb)
 
 void ieee802154_rx(struct ieee802154_hw *hw, struct sk_buff *skb)
 {
+	WARN_ON_ONCE(softirq_count() == 0);
+
 	mac802154_subif_rx(hw, skb);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(ieee802154_rx);