diff --git a/drivers/kw2xrf/kw2xrf_netdev.c b/drivers/kw2xrf/kw2xrf_netdev.c
index a65aa65565..24bb36774b 100644
--- a/drivers/kw2xrf/kw2xrf_netdev.c
+++ b/drivers/kw2xrf/kw2xrf_netdev.c
@@ -82,6 +82,10 @@ static int _init(netdev_t *netdev)
     /* reset device to default values and put it into RX state */
     kw2xrf_reset_phy(dev);
 
+    /* enable TX End IRQ: the driver uses the event and gnrc_netif_ieee802154
+     * only enables this when MODULE_NETSTATS_L2 is active */
+    kw2xrf_clear_dreg_bit(dev, MKW2XDM_PHY_CTRL2, MKW2XDM_PHY_CTRL2_TXMSK);
+
     return 0;
 }