diff --git a/drivers/nvme/target/core.c b/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
index 14677145bbba0..aecb5853f8da4 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/target/core.c
@@ -1176,7 +1176,7 @@ static void nvmet_start_ctrl(struct nvmet_ctrl *ctrl)
 	 * reset the keep alive timer when the controller is enabled.
 	 */
 	if (ctrl->kato)
-		mod_delayed_work(system_wq, &ctrl->ka_work, ctrl->kato * HZ);
+		mod_delayed_work(nvmet_wq, &ctrl->ka_work, ctrl->kato * HZ);
 }
 
 static void nvmet_clear_ctrl(struct nvmet_ctrl *ctrl)