diff --git a/thread/service/java/com/android/server/thread/ThreadNetworkControllerService.java b/thread/service/java/com/android/server/thread/ThreadNetworkControllerService.java
index 0c200fd..afd6e9a 100644
--- a/thread/service/java/com/android/server/thread/ThreadNetworkControllerService.java
+++ b/thread/service/java/com/android/server/thread/ThreadNetworkControllerService.java
@@ -465,6 +465,7 @@
 
     private void setEnabledInternal(
             boolean isEnabled, boolean persist, @NonNull OperationReceiverWrapper receiver) {
+        checkOnHandlerThread();
         if (isEnabled && isThreadUserRestricted()) {
             receiver.onError(
                     ERROR_FAILED_PRECONDITION,
@@ -960,7 +961,11 @@
 
     private void checkOnHandlerThread() {
         if (Looper.myLooper() != mHandler.getLooper()) {
-            Log.wtf(TAG, "Must be on the handler thread!");
+            throw new IllegalStateException(
+                    "Not running on ThreadNetworkControllerService thread ("
+                            + mHandler.getLooper()
+                            + ") : "
+                            + Looper.myLooper());
         }
     }