diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
index a63ffb436a92..2b7dc3f03912 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
@@ -1708,7 +1708,7 @@ nvmet_fc_ls_create_association(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport,
 					be16_to_cpu(rqst->assoc_cmd.sqsize));
 			if (!queue) {
 				ret = VERR_QUEUE_ALLOC_FAIL;
-				nvmet_fc_tgt_a_put(iod->assoc);
+				nvmet_fc_schedule_delete_assoc(iod->assoc);
 			}
 		}
 	}