diff --git a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
index c6b0637e61de..6e2d0fda3ba4 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
@@ -4156,7 +4156,8 @@ static void nvme_fw_act_work(struct work_struct *work)
 		msleep(100);
 	}
 
-	if (!nvme_change_ctrl_state(ctrl, NVME_CTRL_LIVE))
+	if (!nvme_change_ctrl_state(ctrl, NVME_CTRL_CONNECTING) ||
+	    !nvme_change_ctrl_state(ctrl, NVME_CTRL_LIVE))
 		return;
 
 	nvme_unquiesce_io_queues(ctrl);