diff --git a/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c b/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c
index 6c5daefd0c..2497c724dd 100644
--- a/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c
+++ b/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c
@@ -91,8 +91,10 @@ void at86rf215_reset_and_cfg(at86rf215_t *dev)
     at86rf215_reset(dev);
 
     /* default to requesting ACKs, just like at86rf2xx */
-    const netopt_enable_t enable = NETOPT_ENABLE;
-    netdev_ieee802154_set(&dev->netdev, NETOPT_ACK_REQ, &enable, sizeof(enable));
+    static const netopt_enable_t ack_req =
+            IS_ACTIVE(CONFIG_IEEE802154_DEFAULT_ACK_REQ) ? NETOPT_ENABLE : NETOPT_DISABLE;
+    netdev_ieee802154_set(&dev->netdev, NETOPT_ACK_REQ,
+                          &ack_req, sizeof(ack_req));
 
     /* enable RX start IRQs */
     at86rf215_reg_or(dev, dev->BBC->RG_IRQM, BB_IRQ_RXAM);