diff --git a/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c b/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c
index 1cdfff9de6e2..272d3facfff9 100644
--- a/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c
+++ b/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c
@@ -1410,8 +1410,11 @@ nfsd4_run_cb_work(struct work_struct *work)
 		nfsd4_process_cb_update(cb);
 
 	clnt = clp->cl_cb_client;
-	if (!clnt) {
-		/* Callback channel broken, or client killed; give up: */
+	if (!clnt || clp->cl_state == NFSD4_COURTESY) {
+		/*
+		 * Callback channel broken, client killed or
+		 * nfs4_client in courtesy state; give up.
+		 */
 		nfsd41_destroy_cb(cb);
 		return;
 	}