Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may transmit a power headroom report (PHR) to a first base station on a first link of a split bearer and to a second base station on a second link of the split bearer. The UE may evaluate a characteristic associated with the first link or the second link after transmitting the first PHR, and adjust a transmit power value transmitted in the PHR associated with the first link or the second link, or both based on the evaluation. As a result, the UE may transmit an adjusted PHR to the first base station or the second base station, or both.