Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Generally, the described techniques provide for a user equipment (UE) to determine whether to request coverage enhancement for a random access procedure based on a condition of a channel between the UE and a base station failing to satisfy a threshold. The UE may transmit a request for coverage enhancement for a second random access message (e.g., a random access Message 4 (Msg4)) using a first random access message (e.g., a random access Message 3 (Msg3)). The base station may determine whether to perform the coverage enhancement in response to receiving the first random access message and may transmit the second random access message accordingly. Implementing aspects of the present disclosure may enable coverage enhancement for random access procedures in wireless communications systems.