diff --git a/src/wifi/model/wifi-default-protection-manager.cc b/src/wifi/model/wifi-default-protection-manager.cc
index 9d63535ea..5586eefac 100644
--- a/src/wifi/model/wifi-default-protection-manager.cc
+++ b/src/wifi/model/wifi-default-protection-manager.cc
@@ -21,10 +21,12 @@
 
 #include "ap-wifi-mac.h"
 #include "frame-exchange-manager.h"
+#include "sta-wifi-mac.h"
 #include "wifi-mpdu.h"
 #include "wifi-tx-parameters.h"
 
 #include "ns3/boolean.h"
+#include "ns3/emlsr-manager.h"
 #include "ns3/erp-ofdm-phy.h"
 #include "ns3/log.h"
 
@@ -188,8 +190,20 @@ WifiDefaultProtectionManager::GetPsduProtection(const WifiMacHeader& hdr,
         return std::make_unique<WifiNoProtection>();
     }
 
+    // when an EMLSR client starts an UL TXOP on a link on which the main PHY is not operating,
+    // the aux PHY sends an RTS frame
+    bool emlsrNeedRts = false;
+
+    if (auto staMac = DynamicCast<StaWifiMac>(m_mac))
+    {
+        auto emlsrManager = staMac->GetEmlsrManager();
+
+        emlsrNeedRts = emlsrManager && staMac->IsEmlsrLink(m_linkId) &&
+                       m_mac->GetLinkForPhy(emlsrManager->GetMainPhyId()) != m_linkId;
+    }
+
     // check if RTS/CTS is needed
-    if (GetWifiRemoteStationManager()->NeedRts(hdr, size))
+    if (emlsrNeedRts || GetWifiRemoteStationManager()->NeedRts(hdr, size))
     {
         auto protection = std::make_unique<WifiRtsCtsProtection>();
         protection->rtsTxVector = GetWifiRemoteStationManager()->GetRtsTxVector(hdr.GetAddr1());