diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index dd2a4c49a39a..c273376ff73e 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -4201,7 +4201,7 @@ void destroy_workqueue(struct workqueue_struct *wq)
 			}
 		}
 
-		if (WARN_ON(pwq->refcnt > 1) ||
+		if (WARN_ON((pwq != wq->dfl_pwq) && (pwq->refcnt > 1)) ||
 		    WARN_ON(pwq->nr_active) ||
 		    WARN_ON(!list_empty(&pwq->delayed_works))) {
 			mutex_unlock(&wq->mutex);