diff --git a/bgpd/bgpd.c b/bgpd/bgpd.c
index 7b60c4fc17..edda82b63c 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgpd.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgpd.c
@@ -4257,12 +4257,11 @@ int bgp_delete(struct bgp *bgp)
 			bgp_set_evpn(bgp_get_default());
 	}
 
-	if (bgp->process_queue)
-		work_queue_free_and_null(&bgp->process_queue);
-
-	if (!IS_BGP_INSTANCE_HIDDEN(bgp))
+	if (!IS_BGP_INSTANCE_HIDDEN(bgp)) {
+		if (bgp->process_queue)
+			work_queue_free_and_null(&bgp->process_queue);
 		bgp_unlock(bgp); /* initial reference */
-	else {
+	} else {
 		for (afi = AFI_IP; afi < AFI_MAX; afi++) {
 			enum vpn_policy_direction dir;