diff --git a/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c b/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c
index 1985cc7a41..a35dec8314 100644
--- a/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c
+++ b/sys/net/gnrc/network_layer/ipv6/nib/nib.c
@@ -1376,9 +1376,8 @@ static void _handle_rtr_timeout(_nib_dr_entry_t *router)
     if ((router->next_hop != NULL) && (router->next_hop->mode & _DRL)) {
         _nib_offl_entry_t *route = NULL;
         unsigned iface = _nib_onl_get_if(router->next_hop);
-        ipv6_addr_t addr;
+        ipv6_addr_t addr = router->next_hop->ipv6;
 
-        memcpy(&addr, &router->next_hop, sizeof(addr));
         _nib_drl_remove(router);
         /* also remove all routes to that router */
         while ((route = _nib_offl_iter(route))) {