diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c b/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c
index 5a92f23f179fe..4893f248dfdc9 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c
@@ -313,6 +313,9 @@ static int nft_delrule_by_chain(struct nft_ctx *ctx)
 	int err;
 
 	list_for_each_entry(rule, &ctx->chain->rules, list) {
+		if (!nft_is_active_next(ctx->net, rule))
+			continue;
+
 		err = nft_delrule(ctx, rule);
 		if (err < 0)
 			return err;