Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. One example method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE) includes detecting a radio link failure (RLF) condition for a connection between the UE and a network over a first cell group and determining, in response to detecting the RLF condition, whether an air interface resource allocation is available for a signaling radio bearer (SRB) between the UE and the network over another cell group. The method also includes selecting, based at least in part on the determination, one of a plurality of RLF procedures. In some examples, the UE may select a first RLF procedure that fully releases radio resources when no SRB is available and a different, second RLF procedure that partially when an SRB is available between the UE and the network over a second cell group.