In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a router, a multicast label distribution protocol message comprising local node information for a protected node and one or more leaf nodes downstream of the protected node in a primary label switched path, creating one or more backup label switched paths to the one or more leaf nodes, detecting a failure at the protected node, and forwarding at the router, traffic for the one or more leaf nodes to the one or more backup label switched paths. An apparatus for multicast label distribution protocol node protection is also disclosed.