diff --git a/src/core/net/ip6.cpp b/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
index 4f3b077e0..2334aa712 100644
--- a/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
+++ b/src/core/net/ip6.cpp
@@ -1121,7 +1121,8 @@ Error Ip6::HandleDatagram(OwnedPtr<Message> aMessagePtr, const void *aLinkMessag
         }
 #endif
 
-        forwardHost = header.GetDestination().IsMulticastLargerThanRealmLocal();
+        // Always forward multicast packets to host network stack
+        forwardHost = true;
 
         if ((aMessagePtr->IsOriginThreadNetif() || aMessagePtr->GetMulticastLoop()) &&
             Get<ThreadNetif>().IsMulticastSubscribed(header.GetDestination()))