diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_bsg.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_bsg.c
index 655cf5de604b..c636165be52b 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_bsg.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_bsg.c
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ void qla2x00_bsg_job_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	    "%s: sp hdl %x, result=%x bsg ptr %p\n",
 	    __func__, sp->handle, res, bsg_job);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 
 	bsg_reply->result = res;
 	bsg_job_done(bsg_job, bsg_reply->result,
@@ -3010,6 +3011,7 @@ qla24xx_bsg_timeout(struct bsg_job *bsg_job)
 
 done:
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&ha->hardware_lock, flags);
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_def.h b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_def.h
index be2eb75ee1a3..7ed2dc24a159 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_def.h
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_def.h
@@ -726,6 +726,11 @@ typedef struct srb {
 	 * code.
 	 */
 	void (*put_fn)(struct kref *kref);
+
+	/*
+	 * Report completion for asynchronous commands.
+	 */
+	void (*async_done)(struct srb *sp, int res);
 } srb_t;
 
 #define GET_CMD_SP(sp) (sp->u.scmd.cmd)
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_edif.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_edif.c
index a04693498dc0..ef9f2e745af4 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_edif.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_edif.c
@@ -2161,7 +2161,8 @@ edif_doorbell_show(struct device *dev, struct device_attribute *attr,
 
 static void qla_noop_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 {
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gbl.h b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gbl.h
index 83eccfbdd10e..83912787fa2e 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gbl.h
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gbl.h
@@ -333,6 +333,7 @@ extern int qla24xx_get_one_block_sg(uint32_t, struct qla2_sgx *, uint32_t *);
 extern int qla24xx_configure_prot_mode(srb_t *, uint16_t *);
 extern int qla24xx_issue_sa_replace_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha,
 	struct qla_work_evt *e);
+void qla2x00_sp_release(struct kref *kref);
 
 /*
  * Global Function Prototypes in qla_mbx.c source file.
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gs.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gs.c
index a01894f3d4a6..452f420332bb 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gs.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_gs.c
@@ -529,7 +529,6 @@ static void qla2x00_async_sns_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int rc)
 		if (!e)
 			goto err2;
 
-		del_timer(&sp->u.iocb_cmd.timer);
 		e->u.iosb.sp = sp;
 		qla2x00_post_work(vha, e);
 		return;
@@ -556,8 +555,8 @@ err2:
 			sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp = NULL;
 		}
 
-		sp->free(sp);
-
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -592,6 +591,7 @@ static int qla_async_rftid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *d_id)
 	if (!vha->flags.online)
 		goto done;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -652,7 +652,8 @@ static int qla_async_rftid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *d_id)
 	}
 	return rval;
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -687,6 +688,7 @@ static int qla_async_rffid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *d_id,
 	srb_t *sp;
 	struct ct_sns_pkt *ct_sns;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -747,7 +749,8 @@ static int qla_async_rffid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *d_id,
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -777,6 +780,7 @@ static int qla_async_rnnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *d_id,
 	srb_t *sp;
 	struct ct_sns_pkt *ct_sns;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -836,7 +840,8 @@ static int qla_async_rnnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *d_id,
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -882,6 +887,7 @@ static int qla_async_rsnn_nn(scsi_qla_host_t *vha)
 	srb_t *sp;
 	struct ct_sns_pkt *ct_sns;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -947,7 +953,8 @@ static int qla_async_rsnn_nn(scsi_qla_host_t *vha)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -2886,7 +2893,8 @@ static void qla24xx_async_gpsc_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	qla24xx_handle_gpsc_event(vha, &ea);
 
 done:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_async_gpsc(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
@@ -2898,6 +2906,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gpsc(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	if (!vha->flags.online || (fcport->flags & FCF_ASYNC_SENT))
 		return rval;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -2937,7 +2946,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_gpsc(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -2986,7 +2996,8 @@ void qla24xx_sp_unmap(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, srb_t *sp)
 		break;
 	}
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 void qla24xx_handle_gpnid_event(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, struct event_arg *ea)
@@ -3125,13 +3136,15 @@ static void qla2x00_async_gpnid_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	if (res) {
 		if (res == QLA_FUNCTION_TIMEOUT) {
 			qla24xx_post_gpnid_work(sp->vha, &ea.id);
-			sp->free(sp);
+			/* ref: INIT */
+			kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 			return;
 		}
 	} else if (sp->gen1) {
 		/* There was another RSCN for this Nport ID */
 		qla24xx_post_gpnid_work(sp->vha, &ea.id);
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -3152,7 +3165,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_gpnid_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 				  sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp_dma);
 		sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp = NULL;
 
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -3172,6 +3186,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gpnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *id)
 	if (!vha->flags.online)
 		goto done;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -3188,7 +3203,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_gpnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, port_id_t *id)
 		if (tsp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.id.b24 == id->b24) {
 			tsp->gen1++;
 			spin_unlock_irqrestore(&vha->hw->tgt.sess_lock, flags);
-			sp->free(sp);
+			/* ref: INIT */
+			kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 			goto done;
 		}
 	}
@@ -3258,8 +3274,8 @@ done_free_sp:
 			sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp_dma);
 		sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp = NULL;
 	}
-
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -3314,7 +3330,8 @@ void qla24xx_async_gffid_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	ea.rc = res;
 
 	qla24xx_handle_gffid_event(vha, &ea);
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 /* Get FC4 Feature with Nport ID. */
@@ -3327,6 +3344,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gffid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	if (!vha->flags.online || (fcport->flags & FCF_ASYNC_SENT))
 		return rval;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		return rval;
@@ -3365,7 +3383,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_gffid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 
 	return rval;
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -3752,7 +3771,6 @@ static void qla2x00_async_gpnft_gnnft_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	    "Async done-%s res %x FC4Type %x\n",
 	    sp->name, res, sp->gen2);
 
-	del_timer(&sp->u.iocb_cmd.timer);
 	sp->rc = res;
 	if (res) {
 		unsigned long flags;
@@ -3920,8 +3938,8 @@ done_free_sp:
 		    sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp_dma);
 		sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp = NULL;
 	}
-
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&vha->work_lock, flags);
 	vha->scan.scan_flags &= ~SF_SCANNING;
@@ -3973,9 +3991,12 @@ int qla24xx_async_gpnft(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, u8 fc4_type, srb_t *sp)
 		ql_dbg(ql_dbg_disc + ql_dbg_verbose, vha, 0xffff,
 		    "%s: Performing FCP Scan\n", __func__);
 
-		if (sp)
-			sp->free(sp); /* should not happen */
+		if (sp) {
+			/* ref: INIT */
+			kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
+		}
 
+		/* ref: INIT */
 		sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 		if (!sp) {
 			spin_lock_irqsave(&vha->work_lock, flags);
@@ -4020,6 +4041,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gpnft(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, u8 fc4_type, srb_t *sp)
 			    sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.req,
 			    sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.req_dma);
 			sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.req = NULL;
+			/* ref: INIT */
 			qla2x00_rel_sp(sp);
 			return rval;
 		}
@@ -4082,7 +4104,8 @@ done_free_sp:
 		sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.ctarg.rsp = NULL;
 	}
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&vha->work_lock, flags);
 	vha->scan.scan_flags &= ~SF_SCANNING;
@@ -4146,7 +4169,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_gnnid_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 
 	qla24xx_handle_gnnid_event(vha, &ea);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_async_gnnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
@@ -4159,6 +4183,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gnnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 		return rval;
 
 	qla2x00_set_fcport_disc_state(fcport, DSC_GNN_ID);
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_ATOMIC);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -4199,7 +4224,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_gnnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 done:
 	return rval;
@@ -4273,7 +4299,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_gfpnid_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 
 	qla24xx_handle_gfpnid_event(vha, &ea);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_async_gfpnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
@@ -4285,6 +4312,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gfpnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	if (!vha->flags.online || (fcport->flags & FCF_ASYNC_SENT))
 		return rval;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_ATOMIC);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -4325,7 +4353,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_gfpnid(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c
index 15a0b553b016..4464e261b47c 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ qla2x00_sp_timeout(struct timer_list *t)
 	WARN_ON(irqs_disabled());
 	iocb = &sp->u.iocb_cmd;
 	iocb->timeout(sp);
+
+	/* ref: TMR */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 void qla2x00_sp_free(srb_t *sp)
@@ -125,8 +128,13 @@ static void qla24xx_abort_iocb_timeout(void *data)
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(qpair->qp_lock_ptr, flags);
 
-	if (sp->cmd_sp)
+	if (sp->cmd_sp) {
+		/*
+		 * This done function should take care of
+		 * original command ref: INIT
+		 */
 		sp->cmd_sp->done(sp->cmd_sp, QLA_OS_TIMER_EXPIRED);
+	}
 
 	abt->u.abt.comp_status = cpu_to_le16(CS_TIMEOUT);
 	sp->done(sp, QLA_OS_TIMER_EXPIRED);
@@ -140,11 +148,11 @@ static void qla24xx_abort_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	if (orig_sp)
 		qla_wait_nvme_release_cmd_kref(orig_sp);
 
-	del_timer(&sp->u.iocb_cmd.timer);
 	if (sp->flags & SRB_WAKEUP_ON_COMP)
 		complete(&abt->u.abt.comp);
 	else
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_async_abort_cmd(srb_t *cmd_sp, bool wait)
@@ -154,6 +162,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_abort_cmd(srb_t *cmd_sp, bool wait)
 	srb_t *sp;
 	int rval = QLA_FUNCTION_FAILED;
 
+	/* ref: INIT for ABTS command */
 	sp = qla2xxx_get_qpair_sp(cmd_sp->vha, cmd_sp->qpair, cmd_sp->fcport,
 				  GFP_ATOMIC);
 	if (!sp)
@@ -181,7 +190,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_abort_cmd(srb_t *cmd_sp, bool wait)
 
 	rval = qla2x00_start_sp(sp);
 	if (rval != QLA_SUCCESS) {
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 		return rval;
 	}
 
@@ -189,7 +199,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_abort_cmd(srb_t *cmd_sp, bool wait)
 		wait_for_completion(&abt_iocb->u.abt.comp);
 		rval = abt_iocb->u.abt.comp_status == CS_COMPLETE ?
 			QLA_SUCCESS : QLA_ERR_FROM_FW;
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	}
 
 	return rval;
@@ -287,7 +298,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_login_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 		qla24xx_handle_plogi_done_event(vha, &ea);
 	}
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int
@@ -306,6 +318,7 @@ qla2x00_async_login(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport,
 		return rval;
 	}
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -355,7 +368,8 @@ qla2x00_async_login(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport,
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE;
@@ -367,7 +381,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_logout_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	sp->fcport->flags &= ~(FCF_ASYNC_SENT | FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE);
 	sp->fcport->login_gen++;
 	qlt_logo_completion_handler(sp->fcport, sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.logio.data[0]);
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int
@@ -377,6 +392,7 @@ qla2x00_async_logout(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	int rval = QLA_FUNCTION_FAILED;
 
 	fcport->flags |= FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -398,7 +414,8 @@ qla2x00_async_logout(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~(FCF_ASYNC_SENT | FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE);
 	return rval;
@@ -424,7 +441,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_prlo_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	if (!test_bit(UNLOADING, &vha->dpc_flags))
 		qla2x00_post_async_prlo_done_work(sp->fcport->vha, sp->fcport,
 		    lio->u.logio.data);
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int
@@ -434,6 +452,7 @@ qla2x00_async_prlo(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	int rval;
 
 	rval = QLA_FUNCTION_FAILED;
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -455,7 +474,8 @@ qla2x00_async_prlo(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE;
 	return rval;
@@ -540,8 +560,8 @@ static void qla2x00_async_adisc_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	ea.sp = sp;
 
 	qla24xx_handle_adisc_event(vha, &ea);
-
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int
@@ -556,6 +576,7 @@ qla2x00_async_adisc(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport,
 		return rval;
 
 	fcport->flags |= FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -583,7 +604,8 @@ qla2x00_async_adisc(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport,
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~(FCF_ASYNC_SENT | FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE);
 	qla2x00_post_async_adisc_work(vha, fcport, data);
@@ -1064,7 +1086,8 @@ static void qla24xx_async_gnl_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&vha->hw->tgt.sess_lock, flags);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_async_gnl(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
@@ -1094,6 +1117,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_gnl(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	vha->gnl.sent = 1;
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&vha->hw->tgt.sess_lock, flags);
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -1126,7 +1150,8 @@ int qla24xx_async_gnl(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~(FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE | FCF_ASYNC_SENT);
 	return rval;
@@ -1172,7 +1197,7 @@ done:
 	dma_pool_free(ha->s_dma_pool, sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.mbx.in,
 		sp->u.iocb_cmd.u.mbx.in_dma);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_post_prli_work(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
@@ -1217,7 +1242,7 @@ static void qla2x00_async_prli_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 		qla24xx_handle_prli_done_event(vha, &ea);
 	}
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int
@@ -1275,7 +1300,8 @@ qla24xx_async_prli(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, fc_port_t *fcport)
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -1360,7 +1386,7 @@ done_free_sp:
 	if (pd)
 		dma_pool_free(ha->s_dma_pool, pd, pd_dma);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE;
@@ -1926,6 +1952,7 @@ qla2x00_async_tm_cmd(fc_port_t *fcport, uint32_t flags, uint32_t lun,
 	srb_t *sp;
 	int rval = QLA_FUNCTION_FAILED;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -1969,7 +1996,8 @@ qla2x00_async_tm_cmd(fc_port_t *fcport, uint32_t flags, uint32_t lun,
 	}
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 done:
 	return rval;
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_inline.h b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_inline.h
index 5f3b7995cc8f..db17f7f410cd 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_inline.h
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_inline.h
@@ -184,6 +184,8 @@ static void qla2xxx_init_sp(srb_t *sp, scsi_qla_host_t *vha,
 	sp->vha = vha;
 	sp->qpair = qpair;
 	sp->cmd_type = TYPE_SRB;
+	/* ref : INIT - normal flow */
+	kref_init(&sp->cmd_kref);
 	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&sp->elem);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c
index 74680c85497a..e6c490e3c3b3 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_iocb.c
@@ -2560,6 +2560,14 @@ qla24xx_tm_iocb(srb_t *sp, struct tsk_mgmt_entry *tsk)
 	}
 }
 
+void
+qla2x00_sp_release(struct kref *kref)
+{
+	struct srb *sp = container_of(kref, struct srb, cmd_kref);
+
+	sp->free(sp);
+}
+
 void
 qla2x00_init_async_sp(srb_t *sp, unsigned long tmo,
 		     void (*done)(struct srb *sp, int res))
@@ -2655,7 +2663,9 @@ qla24xx_els_dcmd_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int els_opcode,
 	       return -ENOMEM;
 	}
 
-	/* Alloc SRB structure */
+	/* Alloc SRB structure
+	 * ref: INIT
+	 */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp) {
 		kfree(fcport);
@@ -2687,7 +2697,8 @@ qla24xx_els_dcmd_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int els_opcode,
 			    GFP_KERNEL);
 
 	if (!elsio->u.els_logo.els_logo_pyld) {
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 		return QLA_FUNCTION_FAILED;
 	}
 
@@ -2710,7 +2721,8 @@ qla24xx_els_dcmd_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int els_opcode,
 
 	rval = qla2x00_start_sp(sp);
 	if (rval != QLA_SUCCESS) {
-		sp->free(sp);
+		/* ref: INIT */
+		kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 		return QLA_FUNCTION_FAILED;
 	}
 
@@ -2721,7 +2733,8 @@ qla24xx_els_dcmd_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int els_opcode,
 
 	wait_for_completion(&elsio->u.els_logo.comp);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	return rval;
 }
 
@@ -2854,7 +2867,6 @@ static void qla2x00_els_dcmd2_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	    sp->name, res, sp->handle, fcport->d_id.b24, fcport->port_name);
 
 	fcport->flags &= ~(FCF_ASYNC_SENT|FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE);
-	del_timer(&sp->u.iocb_cmd.timer);
 
 	if (sp->flags & SRB_WAKEUP_ON_COMP)
 		complete(&lio->u.els_plogi.comp);
@@ -2964,7 +2976,8 @@ static void qla2x00_els_dcmd2_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 			struct srb_iocb *elsio = &sp->u.iocb_cmd;
 
 			qla2x00_els_dcmd2_free(vha, &elsio->u.els_plogi);
-			sp->free(sp);
+			/* ref: INIT */
+			kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 			return;
 		}
 		e->u.iosb.sp = sp;
@@ -2982,7 +2995,9 @@ qla24xx_els_dcmd2_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int els_opcode,
 	int rval = QLA_SUCCESS;
 	void	*ptr, *resp_ptr;
 
-	/* Alloc SRB structure */
+	/* Alloc SRB structure
+	 * ref: INIT
+	 */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp) {
 		ql_log(ql_log_info, vha, 0x70e6,
@@ -3072,7 +3087,8 @@ qla24xx_els_dcmd2_iocb(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int els_opcode,
 out:
 	fcport->flags &= ~(FCF_ASYNC_SENT | FCF_ASYNC_ACTIVE);
 	qla2x00_els_dcmd2_free(vha, &elsio->u.els_plogi);
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
@@ -3883,8 +3899,15 @@ qla2x00_start_sp(srb_t *sp)
 		break;
 	}
 
-	if (sp->start_timer)
+	if (sp->start_timer) {
+		/* ref: TMR timer ref
+		 * this code should be just before start_iocbs function
+		 * This will make sure that caller function don't to do
+		 * kref_put even on failure
+		 */
+		kref_get(&sp->cmd_kref);
 		add_timer(&sp->u.iocb_cmd.timer);
+	}
 
 	wmb();
 	qla2x00_start_iocbs(vha, qp->req);
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mbx.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mbx.c
index 960d15508f38..0c47433f4eb3 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mbx.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mbx.c
@@ -6479,6 +6479,7 @@ int qla24xx_send_mb_cmd(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, mbx_cmd_t *mcp)
 	if (!vha->hw->flags.fw_started)
 		goto done;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -6524,7 +6525,8 @@ int qla24xx_send_mb_cmd(struct scsi_qla_host *vha, mbx_cmd_t *mcp)
 	}
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mid.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mid.c
index c4a967c96fd6..e6b5c4ccce97 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mid.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mid.c
@@ -965,6 +965,7 @@ int qla24xx_control_vp(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int cmd)
 	if (vp_index == 0 || vp_index >= ha->max_npiv_vports)
 		return QLA_PARAMETER_ERROR;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(base_vha, NULL, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		return rval;
@@ -1007,6 +1008,7 @@ int qla24xx_control_vp(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, int cmd)
 		break;
 	}
 done:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	return rval;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mr.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mr.c
index e3ae0894c7a8..f726eb8449c5 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mr.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_mr.c
@@ -1787,6 +1787,7 @@ qlafx00_fx_disc(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport, uint16_t fx_type)
 	struct register_host_info *preg_hsi;
 	struct new_utsname *p_sysid = NULL;
 
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	sp = qla2x00_get_sp(vha, fcport, GFP_KERNEL);
 	if (!sp)
 		goto done;
@@ -1973,7 +1974,8 @@ done_unmap_req:
 		dma_free_coherent(&ha->pdev->dev, fdisc->u.fxiocb.req_len,
 		    fdisc->u.fxiocb.req_addr, fdisc->u.fxiocb.req_dma_handle);
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	return rval;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c
index 8d87cfae9c59..958ae64a6b83 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_os.c
@@ -728,7 +728,8 @@ void qla2x00_sp_compl(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	struct scsi_cmnd *cmd = GET_CMD_SP(sp);
 	struct completion *comp = sp->comp;
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* kref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	cmd->result = res;
 	CMD_SP(cmd) = NULL;
 	cmd->scsi_done(cmd);
@@ -819,7 +820,8 @@ void qla2xxx_qpair_sp_compl(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	struct scsi_cmnd *cmd = GET_CMD_SP(sp);
 	struct completion *comp = sp->comp;
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 	cmd->result = res;
 	CMD_SP(cmd) = NULL;
 	cmd->scsi_done(cmd);
@@ -919,6 +921,7 @@ qla2xxx_queuecommand(struct Scsi_Host *host, struct scsi_cmnd *cmd)
 		goto qc24_target_busy;
 
 	sp = scsi_cmd_priv(cmd);
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	qla2xxx_init_sp(sp, vha, vha->hw->base_qpair, fcport);
 
 	sp->u.scmd.cmd = cmd;
@@ -938,7 +941,8 @@ qla2xxx_queuecommand(struct Scsi_Host *host, struct scsi_cmnd *cmd)
 	return 0;
 
 qc24_host_busy_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 
 qc24_target_busy:
 	return SCSI_MLQUEUE_TARGET_BUSY;
@@ -1008,6 +1012,7 @@ qla2xxx_mqueuecommand(struct Scsi_Host *host, struct scsi_cmnd *cmd,
 		goto qc24_target_busy;
 
 	sp = scsi_cmd_priv(cmd);
+	/* ref: INIT */
 	qla2xxx_init_sp(sp, vha, qpair, fcport);
 
 	sp->u.scmd.cmd = cmd;
@@ -1026,7 +1031,8 @@ qla2xxx_mqueuecommand(struct Scsi_Host *host, struct scsi_cmnd *cmd,
 	return 0;
 
 qc24_host_busy_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	/* ref: INIT */
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 
 qc24_target_busy:
 	return SCSI_MLQUEUE_TARGET_BUSY;
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c
index d0ac19d5b719..935e695a904e 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_target.c
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ static void qla2x00_async_nack_sp_done(srb_t *sp, int res)
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&vha->hw->tgt.sess_lock, flags);
 
-	sp->free(sp);
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 }
 
 int qla24xx_async_notify_ack(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport,
@@ -672,7 +672,7 @@ int qla24xx_async_notify_ack(scsi_qla_host_t *vha, fc_port_t *fcport,
 	return rval;
 
 done_free_sp:
-	sp->free(sp);
+	kref_put(&sp->cmd_kref, qla2x00_sp_release);
 done:
 	fcport->flags &= ~FCF_ASYNC_SENT;
 	return rval;