diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c b/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
index b869b686e962..1d3185c82596 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/loop.c
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ static void nvme_loop_destroy_io_queues(struct nvme_loop_ctrl *ctrl)
 		clear_bit(NVME_LOOP_Q_LIVE, &ctrl->queues[i].flags);
 		nvmet_sq_destroy(&ctrl->queues[i].nvme_sq);
 	}
+	ctrl->ctrl.queue_count = 1;
 }
 
 static int nvme_loop_init_io_queues(struct nvme_loop_ctrl *ctrl)