diff --git a/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c b/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c
index 1077086ea..5581832da 100644
--- a/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c
+++ b/lib/nvmf/ctrlr.c
@@ -2358,10 +2358,8 @@ nvmf_ns_reservation_request_check(struct spdk_nvmf_subsystem_pg_ns_info *ns_info
 		}
 		break;
 	case SPDK_NVME_OPC_RESERVATION_ACQUIRE:
-	case SPDK_NVME_OPC_RESERVATION_RELEASE:
 		racqa = cmd->cdw10_bits.resv_acquire.racqa;
-		if (cmd->opc == SPDK_NVME_OPC_RESERVATION_ACQUIRE &&
-		    racqa == SPDK_NVME_RESERVE_ACQUIRE) {
+		if (racqa == SPDK_NVME_RESERVE_ACQUIRE) {
 			status = SPDK_NVME_SC_RESERVATION_CONFLICT;
 			goto exit;
 		}
@@ -2370,6 +2368,12 @@ nvmf_ns_reservation_request_check(struct spdk_nvmf_subsystem_pg_ns_info *ns_info
 			goto exit;
 		}
 		break;
+	case SPDK_NVME_OPC_RESERVATION_RELEASE:
+		if (!is_registrant) {
+			status = SPDK_NVME_SC_RESERVATION_CONFLICT;
+			goto exit;
+		}
+		break;
 	default:
 		break;
 	}