diff --git a/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_leader.cpp b/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_leader.cpp
index 00a9e5eb877..08d99c6d6a6 100644
--- a/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_leader.cpp
+++ b/src/core/meshcop/meshcop_leader.cpp
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ template <> void Leader::HandleTmf<kUriLeaderPetition>(Coap::Message &aMessage,
 
     LogInfo("Received %s", UriToString<kUriLeaderPetition>());
 
+    VerifyOrExit(Get<Mle::MleRouter>().IsLeader());
+
     VerifyOrExit(Get<Mle::MleRouter>().IsRoutingLocator(aMessageInfo.GetPeerAddr()));
     SuccessOrExit(Tlv::FindTlv(aMessage, commissionerId));
 
@@ -152,6 +154,8 @@ template <> void Leader::HandleTmf<kUriLeaderKeepAlive>(Coap::Message &aMessage,
 
     LogInfo("Received %s", UriToString<kUriLeaderKeepAlive>());
 
+    VerifyOrExit(Get<Mle::MleRouter>().IsLeader());
+
     SuccessOrExit(Tlv::Find<StateTlv>(aMessage, state));
 
     SuccessOrExit(Tlv::Find<CommissionerSessionIdTlv>(aMessage, sessionId));