diff --git a/sound/soc/soc-pcm.c b/sound/soc/soc-pcm.c
index b6c640332a17..f4f68cb3cb00 100644
--- a/sound/soc/soc-pcm.c
+++ b/sound/soc/soc-pcm.c
@@ -411,8 +411,9 @@ static int soc_pcm_close(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 		} else {
 			/* start delayed pop wq here for playback streams */
 			rtd->pop_wait = 1;
-			schedule_delayed_work(&rtd->delayed_work,
-				msecs_to_jiffies(rtd->pmdown_time));
+			queue_delayed_work(system_power_efficient_wq,
+					   &rtd->delayed_work,
+					   msecs_to_jiffies(rtd->pmdown_time));
 		}
 	} else {
 		/* capture streams can be powered down now */