diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
index cd4e73aa9807..640031cbda7c 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/fc.c
@@ -2499,13 +2499,6 @@ nvmet_fc_handle_fcp_rqst(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport,
 	u32 xfrlen = be32_to_cpu(cmdiu->data_len);
 	int ret;
 
-	/*
-	 * if there is no nvmet mapping to the targetport there
-	 * shouldn't be requests. just terminate them.
-	 */
-	if (!tgtport->pe)
-		goto transport_error;
-
 	/*
 	 * Fused commands are currently not supported in the linux
 	 * implementation.
@@ -2533,7 +2526,8 @@ nvmet_fc_handle_fcp_rqst(struct nvmet_fc_tgtport *tgtport,
 
 	fod->req.cmd = &fod->cmdiubuf.sqe;
 	fod->req.cqe = &fod->rspiubuf.cqe;
-	fod->req.port = tgtport->pe->port;
+	if (tgtport->pe)
+		fod->req.port = tgtport->pe->port;
 
 	/* clear any response payload */
 	memset(&fod->rspiubuf, 0, sizeof(fod->rspiubuf));