diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c b/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
index dba0b0145f48..08b52f3ed0c3 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
@@ -274,7 +274,8 @@ static const struct blk_mq_ops nvme_loop_admin_mq_ops = {
 
 static void nvme_loop_destroy_admin_queue(struct nvme_loop_ctrl *ctrl)
 {
-	clear_bit(NVME_LOOP_Q_LIVE, &ctrl->queues[0].flags);
+	if (!test_and_clear_bit(NVME_LOOP_Q_LIVE, &ctrl->queues[0].flags))
+		return;
 	nvmet_sq_destroy(&ctrl->queues[0].nvme_sq);
 	blk_cleanup_queue(ctrl->ctrl.admin_q);
 	blk_mq_free_tag_set(&ctrl->admin_tag_set);