diff --git a/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c b/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c
index 1fd13dbe1..c6ef8e7e8 100644
--- a/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c
+++ b/qla2x00t-32gbit/qla_nvme.c
@@ -1257,7 +1257,7 @@ void qla2xxx_process_purls_iocb(void **pkt, struct rsp_que **rsp)
 		a.reason = FCNVME_RJT_RC_LOGIC;
 		a.explanation = FCNVME_RJT_EXP_NONE;
 		xmt_reject = true;
-		kfree(item);
+		qla24xx_free_purex_item(item);
 		goto out;
 	}