diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_client.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_client.c
index a2dba32383f63..32f3facbed1a5 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_client.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_client.c
@@ -375,6 +375,7 @@ void i40e_client_subtask(struct i40e_pf *pf)
 				clear_bit(__I40E_CLIENT_INSTANCE_OPENED,
 					  &cdev->state);
 				i40e_client_del_instance(pf);
+				return;
 			}
 		}
 	}