diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
index 64c26b703860..b4b2631eb530 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
@@ -1101,6 +1101,9 @@ nvmet_fc_alloc_target_assoc(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport, void *hosthandle)
 	int idx;
 	bool needrandom = true;
 
+	if (!tgtport->pe)
+		return NULL;
+
 	assoc = kzalloc(sizeof(*assoc), GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!assoc)
 		return NULL;
@@ -2523,8 +2526,9 @@ nvmet_fc_handle_fcp_rqst(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport,
 
 	fod->req.cmd = &fod->cmdiubuf.sqe;
 	fod->req.cqe = &fod->rspiubuf.cqe;
-	if (tgtport->pe)
-		fod->req.port = tgtport->pe->port;
+	if (!tgtport->pe)
+		goto transport_error;
+	fod->req.port = tgtport->pe->port;
 
 	/* clear any response payload */
 	memset(&fod->rspiubuf, 0, sizeof(fod->rspiubuf));