diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/core.c b/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
index 33db6c5534e2..a87567f40c91 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
@@ -1749,7 +1749,7 @@ static void nvmet_ctrl_free(struct kref *ref)
 
 	nvmet_stop_keep_alive_timer(ctrl);
 
-	flush_work(&ctrl->async_event_work);
+	cancel_work_sync(&ctrl->async_event_work);
 	cancel_work_sync(&ctrl->fatal_err_work);
 
 	nvmet_destroy_auth(ctrl);