diff --git a/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c b/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c
index 9d7fec570abe..d923f2cb1398 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c
@@ -228,13 +228,18 @@ static void __nfulnl_flush(struct nfulnl_instance *inst);
 static void
 __instance_destroy(struct nfulnl_instance *inst)
 {
+	spin_lock(&inst->lock);
+	if (inst->copy_mode == NFULNL_COPY_DISABLED) {
+		/* attempt to UNBIND a queue already pending
+		 * destruction via netlink close event. Ignore.
+		 */
+		spin_unlock(&inst->lock);
+		return;
+	}
+
 	/* first pull it out of the global list */
 	hlist_del_rcu(&inst->hlist);
 
-	/* then flush all pending packets from skb */
-
-	spin_lock(&inst->lock);
-
 	/* lockless readers wont be able to use us */
 	inst->copy_mode = NFULNL_COPY_DISABLED;