diff --git a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c
index 56bff7856cf8f..4e6d3eb4caa4c 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/qla2xxx/qla_init.c
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ qla2x00_sp_timeout(struct timer_list *t)
 	req->outstanding_cmds[sp->handle] = NULL;
 	iocb = &sp->u.iocb_cmd;
 	iocb->timeout(sp);
-	sp->free(sp);
+	if (sp->type != SRB_ELS_DCMD)
+		sp->free(sp);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&vha->hw->hardware_lock, flags);
 }