diff --git a/net/batman-adv/main.c b/net/batman-adv/main.c
index 1511f64a6cea..faba0f61ad53 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/main.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/main.c
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ int batadv_max_header_len(void)
 			   sizeof(struct batadv_coded_packet));
 #endif
 
-	return header_len;
+	return header_len + ETH_HLEN;
 }
 
 /**