diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
index 68ff9540e2d1..570c58d2b5a5 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
@@ -1091,7 +1091,8 @@ static void
 nvmet_fc_schedule_delete_assoc(struct nvmet_fc_tgt_assoc *assoc)
 {
 	nvmet_fc_tgtport_get(assoc->tgtport);
-	queue_work(nvmet_wq, &assoc->del_work);
+	if (!queue_work(nvmet_wq, &assoc->del_work))
+		nvmet_fc_tgtport_put(assoc->tgtport);
 }
 
 static struct nvmet_fc_tgt_assoc *