diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
index fc35f7ae67b0..9b07e8c7689a 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
@@ -2151,13 +2151,6 @@ nvmet_fc_handle_fcp_rqst(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport,
 	u32 xfrlen = be32_to_cpu(cmdiu->data_len);
 	int ret;
 
-	/*
-	 * if there is no nvmet mapping to the targetport there
-	 * shouldn't be requests. just terminate them.
-	 */
-	if (!tgtport->pe)
-		goto transport_error;
-
 	/*
 	 * Fused commands are currently not supported in the linux
 	 * implementation.
@@ -2185,7 +2178,8 @@ nvmet_fc_handle_fcp_rqst(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport,
 
 	fod->req.cmd = &fod->cmdiubuf.sqe;
 	fod->req.cqe = &fod->rspiubuf.cqe;
-	fod->req.port = tgtport->pe->port;
+	if (tgtport->pe)
+		fod->req.port = tgtport->pe->port;
 
 	/* clear any response payload */
 	memset(&fod->rspiubuf, 0, sizeof(fod->rspiubuf));