diff --git a/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c b/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c
index c5876ff225..a62f54f3dc 100644
--- a/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c
+++ b/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c
@@ -358,7 +358,8 @@ spdk_nvmf_ctrlr_connect(struct spdk_nvmf_request *req)
 		return SPDK_NVMF_REQUEST_EXEC_STATUS_COMPLETE;
 	}
 
-	if (subsystem->state != SPDK_NVMF_SUBSYSTEM_ACTIVE) {
+	if ((subsystem->state == SPDK_NVMF_SUBSYSTEM_INACTIVE) ||
+	    (subsystem->state == SPDK_NVMF_SUBSYSTEM_DEACTIVATING)) {
 		SPDK_ERRLOG("Subsystem '%s' is not ready\n", subnqn);
 		rsp->status.sct = SPDK_NVME_SCT_COMMAND_SPECIFIC;
 		rsp->status.sc = SPDK_NVMF_FABRIC_SC_CONTROLLER_BUSY;