diff --git a/pkg/semtech-loramac/contrib/semtech_loramac_radio.c b/pkg/semtech-loramac/contrib/semtech_loramac_radio.c
index 8d2d8cb8e0481b8bb8fb12f829537e99309d8779..a81c1ad82348f469688aca101174e7eec756921b 100644
--- a/pkg/semtech-loramac/contrib/semtech_loramac_radio.c
+++ b/pkg/semtech-loramac/contrib/semtech_loramac_radio.c
@@ -44,7 +44,11 @@ extern sx127x_t sx127x;
 void SX127XInit(RadioEvents_t *events)
 {
     (void) events;
-    sx127x_init(&sx127x);
+    if (sx127x_init(&sx127x) < 0) {
+        DEBUG("[semtech-loramac] radio: failed to initialize radio\n");
+    }
+
+    DEBUG("[semtech-loramac] radio: initialization successful\n");
 }
 
 RadioState_t SX127XGetStatus(void)