diff --git a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
index d5c8b0a08d49..b32e3cff37b1 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
@@ -4100,6 +4100,8 @@ static void nvme_fw_act_work(struct work_struct *work)
 				struct nvme_ctrl, fw_act_work);
 	unsigned long fw_act_timeout;
 
+	nvme_auth_stop(ctrl);
+
 	if (ctrl->mtfa)
 		fw_act_timeout = jiffies +
 				msecs_to_jiffies(ctrl->mtfa * 100);
@@ -4155,7 +4157,6 @@ static bool nvme_handle_aen_notice(struct nvme_ctrl *ctrl, u32 result)
 		 * firmware activation.
 		 */
 		if (nvme_change_ctrl_state(ctrl, NVME_CTRL_RESETTING)) {
-			nvme_auth_stop(ctrl);
 			requeue = false;
 			queue_work(nvme_wq, &ctrl->fw_act_work);
 		}