diff --git a/net/core/link_watch.c b/net/core/link_watch.c
index 8ec35194bfcb85..ab150641142aa1 100644
--- a/net/core/link_watch.c
+++ b/net/core/link_watch.c
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ static void linkwatch_schedule_work(int urgent)
 	 * override the existing timer.
 	 */
 	if (test_bit(LW_URGENT, &linkwatch_flags))
-		mod_delayed_work(system_wq, &linkwatch_work, 0);
+		mod_delayed_work(system_unbound_wq, &linkwatch_work, 0);
 	else
-		schedule_delayed_work(&linkwatch_work, delay);
+		queue_delayed_work(system_unbound_wq, &linkwatch_work, delay);
 }