diff --git a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
index 0d21258e2283..2bcd9f710cb6 100644
--- a/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
+++ b/drivers/nvme/host/core.c
@@ -1695,7 +1695,13 @@ int nvme_set_queue_count(struct nvme_ctrl *ctrl, int *count)
 
 	status = nvme_set_features(ctrl, NVME_FEAT_NUM_QUEUES, q_count, NULL, 0,
 			&result);
-	if (status < 0)
+
+	/*
+	 * It's either a kernel error or the host observed a connection
+	 * lost. In either case it's not possible communicate with the
+	 * controller and thus enter the error code path.
+	 */
+	if (status < 0 || status == NVME_SC_HOST_PATH_ERROR)
 		return status;
 
 	/*