diff --git a/net/smc/smc_core.c b/net/smc/smc_core.c
index c19d4b7c1f28..0208dfb35345 100644
--- a/net/smc/smc_core.c
+++ b/net/smc/smc_core.c
@@ -1459,7 +1459,7 @@ static void __smc_lgr_terminate(struct smc_link_group *lgr, bool soft)
 	if (lgr->terminating)
 		return;	/* lgr already terminating */
 	/* cancel free_work sync, will terminate when lgr->freeing is set */
-	cancel_delayed_work_sync(&lgr->free_work);
+	cancel_delayed_work(&lgr->free_work);
 	lgr->terminating = 1;
 
 	/* kill remaining link group connections */