diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c b/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
index fcb1f8186fdd..39447a72f91c 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
@@ -443,6 +443,8 @@ static void nvme_loop_reset_ctrl_work(struct work_struct *work)
 		container_of(work, struct nvme_loop_ctrl, ctrl.reset_work);
 	int ret;
 
+	if (!ctrl->ctrl.admin_q)
+		return;
 	nvme_stop_ctrl(&ctrl->ctrl);
 	nvme_loop_shutdown_ctrl(ctrl);