diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_proto_tcp.c b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_proto_tcp.c
index 271cd01d57ae..dd28fb239a60 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_proto_tcp.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_proto_tcp.c
@@ -844,9 +844,15 @@ static int tcp_packet(struct nf_conn *ct,
 			/* Attempt to reopen a closed/aborted connection.
 			 * Delete this connection and look up again. */
 			write_unlock_bh(&tcp_lock);
-			if (del_timer(&ct->timeout))
+			/* Only repeat if we can actually remove the timer.
+			 * Destruction may already be in progress in process
+			 * context and we must give it a chance to terminate.
+			 */
+			if (del_timer(&ct->timeout)) {
 				ct->timeout.function((unsigned long)ct);
-			return -NF_REPEAT;
+				return -NF_REPEAT;
+			}
+			return -NF_DROP;
 		}
 		/* Fall through */
 	case TCP_CONNTRACK_IGNORE: