diff --git a/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c b/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c
index 81807daaf..7f5544181 100644
--- a/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c
+++ b/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c
@@ -547,6 +547,11 @@ static int qla_nvme_post_cmd(struct nvme_fc_local_port *lport,
 	struct nvme_private *priv = fd->private;
 	struct qla_nvme_rport *qla_rport = rport->private;
 
+	if (!priv) {
+		/* nvme association has been torn down */
+		return rval;
+	}
+
 	fcport = qla_rport->fcport;
 
 	if (!qpair || !fcport || (qpair && !qpair->fw_started) ||