diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index 50142fc08902..f148eacda55a 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -3676,15 +3676,21 @@ static void pwq_unbound_release_workfn(struct work_struct *work)
 						  unbound_release_work);
 	struct workqueue_struct *wq = pwq->wq;
 	struct worker_pool *pool = pwq->pool;
-	bool is_last;
+	bool is_last = false;
 
-	if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!(wq->flags & WQ_UNBOUND)))
-		return;
+	/*
+	 * when @pwq is not linked, it doesn't hold any reference to the
+	 * @wq, and @wq is invalid to access.
+	 */
+	if (!list_empty(&pwq->pwqs_node)) {
+		if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!(wq->flags & WQ_UNBOUND)))
+			return;
 
-	mutex_lock(&wq->mutex);
-	list_del_rcu(&pwq->pwqs_node);
-	is_last = list_empty(&wq->pwqs);
-	mutex_unlock(&wq->mutex);
+		mutex_lock(&wq->mutex);
+		list_del_rcu(&pwq->pwqs_node);
+		is_last = list_empty(&wq->pwqs);
+		mutex_unlock(&wq->mutex);
+	}
 
 	mutex_lock(&wq_pool_mutex);
 	put_unbound_pool(pool);