diff --git a/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c b/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c
index b80751a9b1c00..916b1c90a18be 100644
--- a/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c
+++ b/drivers/at86rf215/at86rf215.c
@@ -250,6 +250,10 @@ static void _block_while_busy(at86rf215_t *dev)
 
 static void at86rf215_block_while_busy(at86rf215_t *dev)
 {
+    if (IS_ACTIVE(MODULE_NETIF_PKTQ)) {
+        return;
+    }
+
     if (_tx_ongoing(dev)) {
         DEBUG("[at86rf215] Block while TXing\n");
         _block_while_busy(dev);
@@ -262,7 +266,12 @@ int at86rf215_tx_prepare(at86rf215_t *dev)
         return -EAGAIN;
     }
 
-    at86rf215_block_while_busy(dev);
+    if (IS_ACTIVE(MODULE_NETIF_PKTQ) && _tx_ongoing(dev)) {
+        return -EBUSY;
+    } else {
+        at86rf215_block_while_busy(dev);
+    }
+
     dev->tx_frame_len = IEEE802154_FCS_LEN;
 
     return 0;