diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
index b81897131f0a..91134510364c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
@@ -2648,6 +2648,7 @@ int ath11k_qmi_init_service(struct ath11k_base *ab)
 			     ab->qmi.service_ins_id);
 	if (ret < 0) {
 		ath11k_warn(ab, "failed to add qmi lookup\n");
+		destroy_workqueue(ab->qmi.event_wq);
 		return ret;
 	}