diff --git a/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c b/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c
index d18da21..861d5f5 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c
@@ -941,10 +941,8 @@ static int scsi_init_io(struct scsi_cmnd *cmd)
 	 * if sg table allocation fails, requeue request later.
 	 */
 	sgpnt = scsi_alloc_sgtable(cmd, GFP_ATOMIC);
-	if (unlikely(!sgpnt)) {
-		req->flags |= REQ_SPECIAL;
+	if (unlikely(!sgpnt))
 		return BLKPREP_DEFER;
-	}
 
 	cmd->request_buffer = (char *) sgpnt;
 	cmd->request_bufflen = req->nr_sectors << 9;