diff --git a/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h b/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h
index 6ed153f226b39..244f32e98360f 100644
--- a/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h
+++ b/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ static void rcu_read_unlock_special(struct task_struct *t)
 			set_tsk_need_resched(current);
 			set_preempt_need_resched();
 			if (IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_IRQ_WORK) && irqs_were_disabled &&
-			    !rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending && exp) {
+			    !rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending && exp && cpu_online(rdp->cpu)) {
 				// Get scheduler to re-evaluate and call hooks.
 				// If !IRQ_WORK, FQS scan will eventually IPI.
 				init_irq_work(&rdp->defer_qs_iw,